(Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays try to hang onto their lead in the American League East this afternoon when they play the rubber match of a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics at Tropicana Field.

Tampa had its division lead sliced to just a half-game ahead of the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, as it found itself on the wrong end of an 8-1 decision to Oakland. Jack Hannahan went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and a career-high four runs batted in, while Kurt Suzuki going 3-for-4 with a double and RBI for the A's, who snapped a six-game losing streak.

Dallas Braden (2-0) picked up the win after allowing just one run on four hits and four walks in this middle test of a three-game series. Jerry Blevins, Brad Ziegler and Huston Street combined to throw four shutout innings to finish the game.

Andy Sonnanstine (10-5) lost his second straight start despite throwing seven solid innings. He allowed just three runs on five hits, walked one and struck out five for the Rays.

Carl Crawford had two hits, while Carlos Pena had a hit and drove in the lone run for Tampa Bay, which has lost two of three. The Rays though, haven't lost two in a row at home since April 14-18.

Heading to the hill for the A's today will be lefty Greg Smith, who has lost three of his last four decisions. Smith was charged with the loss to the New York Yankees on Friday, as he allowed six runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings, dropping him to 5-8 on the season to go along with a 3.79 ERA.

Smith lost his only other start to the Rays earlier this season, surrendering a pair of runs and five hits in seven innings.

Tampa will counter with righty James Shields, who is 8-6 with a 3.69 ERA. Shields won for the fourth time in his last five starts on Friday against Toronto, as he held the Jays to a run and four hits in seven innings.

Shields is 2-1 lifetime against the A's with a 4.55 ERA in four starts.

Tampa Bay has won three of its five matchups with the A's this season after taking six of the 10 meetings in the series last year.