Oakland, CA (Best E Casino) - Evan Longoria blasted a two-run homer in the 13th inning, catapulting the Rays to a 7-6 win over the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a three-game series.

Longoria had three hits and drove in three runs, and Eric Hinske belted a two- run homer for Tampa Bay, which snapped a two-game skid but has captured nine of its last 12.

Jason Hammel (3-2), in his first appearance since May 7, allowed a hit over three innings to get the victory. Troy Percival held on for his 12th save despite giving up an RBI triple.

"I talked with Hammel in the outfield before the game and told him 'I know this stinks but you've got to stay ready," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We're going to need you some day and you'll come through for us.' Tonight was the time and he pitched great."

Frank Thomas had three hits, including a pair of homers, and knocked in three runs for the Athletics, losers in six of their last seven contests. Emil Brown also homered in defeat.

Chad Gaudin (3-3) threw two innings and suffered the loss.

James Shields was charged with eight hits and five runs through 7 2/3 innings in the start for the Rays, while Joe Blanton surrendered six hits and four runs over six frames for the A's.

"Any loss is disappointing, but you have to look at a lot of positive things that happened," A's manager Bob Geren said. "Frank had a big day, Blanton looked as sharp as he had all season in the first four innings and the bullpen put up a lot of zeroes late in the game. We just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it."

Carlos Pena singled to start the 13th, and Longoria then crushed a 2-1 offering from Gaudin over the wall in left for his fifth homer of the season.

Percival retired the first two batters he faced in the bottom half, but Brown walked and then took second base without a throw. Daric Barton followed with a triple high off the wall in right, but Kurt Suzuki popped out to first baseman Pena in foul territory to end the game.

Thomas belted a two-run homer in the first inning and it became 3-0 in the second on Brown's leadoff shot over the wall in center.

Dioner Navarro bunted for a hit with one out in the fifth and Hinske followed with his eighth homer of the year.

The Rays went ahead in the sixth when Longoria drove in a run with a double and Pena scored on a Cliff Floyd groundout.

However, Thomas squared the score at 4-4 in the bottom half with his two-out homer to left.

Akinori Iwamura doubled in Jason Bartlett in the seventh to put Tampa Bay back on top, but Ryan Sweeney singled in Rajai Davis in the eighth.

The A's had two runners on base in the 11th, but Gregorio Petit struck out swinging to end the inning.

Game Notes

Longoria is 8-for-18 following a 7-for-50 slump...Athletics infielder Donnie Murphy was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday due to right elbow inflammation. The A's also recalled left-handed pitcher Dallas Braden from Triple-A Sacramento.