Caminero’s 41st Homer Lifts Rays Past Athletics
10 sourcesUpdated Sep 16, 2026
Junior Caminero led off the ninth with an opposite-field home run just inside the right-field foul pole, his American League-leading 41st, giving the Tampa Bay Rays a 2-1 victory over the Athletics. He connected on the third pitch from Elvis Alvarado. It was Caminero’s second walk-off homer in four games. Bryan Baker (3-2) then threw a perfect ninth to close it out. Griffin Jax had set the tone with five scoreless innings, seven strikeouts, two hits and no walks. Henry Bolte had scored on a wild pitch by Ty Johnson to knot the game in the sixth. In the ninth, Chandler Simpson robbed Shea Langeliers with a sliding catch. The Rays improved to 91-59, won their fourth straight, stayed unbeaten on their nine-game homestand and remain an MLB-best 35-17 since July 20. Independent Journal Review reported the result preserved a four-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. What is contested: no contested facts found in the record.
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“Junior Caminero's 2nd walk-off homer in 4 games gives the Rays a 2-1 win over the Athletics”Right· 1 source
“Caminero’s 41st Homer Lifts Rays Past Athletics”The Rays pitching and hitting combo is keeping them on top of the East with these close wins.
Simpson going 3 for 3 really helped set up the late drama in a tight 2-1 game.
Caminero crushing that 100 mph fastball for the walk-off shows why he's leading the AL in homers.
