Rich Harden allowed one run in six innings Saturday against the Devil Rays. (David Kadlubowski/AP)
ST. PETERSBURG -- Erubiel Durazo frequently studies videotapes of his best batting performances. A few of his latest swings have called for a tape measure.
Durazo drilled the second grand slam of his career Saturday night to help Oakland to a 6-5 victory at Tampa Bay.
The sixth-year designated hitter/first baseman also led the Athletics past the Devil Rays with a pair of homers in the series opener Friday night at Tropicana Field.
"He's got a future with the Devil Rays," joked teammate Scott Hatteberg, who collected a double, two singles and two walks in five plate appearances Saturday.
"I feel a lot of confidence," said Durazo, who is 4-for-8 in the series and 8-for-21 (.381) on the road trip that began with three losses at Yankee Stadium. "Those games in New York that I got a couple of hits in started my confidence back."
Erubiel Durazo / DH
Born: 01/23/75
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 240 lbs
Bats: L / Throws: L
The game also provided a lift for A's starting pitcher Rich Harden, who allowed only one run in six innings. The sophomore right-hander came up empty handed, however, in a bid for his first triumph of the season against two losses.
"I just wanted to keep the game close enough to where we could put up a run or two and win the game," he said.
Eric Chavez took Harden off the hook by greeting Tampa Bay reliever Lance Carter with his sixth homer of the year, a leadoff blast over the center-field wall in the eighth inning.
Eric Chavez / 3B
Born: 12/07/77
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats: L / Throws: R
The A's took a 2-1 lead in the inning on singles by Jermaine Dye and Hatteberg and a sacrifice fly by Bobby Crosby.
Both teams scored four times in the ninth.
Durazo delivered the grand slam off left-hander Trever Miller with two out in the top half to extend the lead to 6-1. A's reliever Jim Mecir made it far too interesting in the bottom half of the inning, surrendering five runs to his former team.
"You've just got to win. That's the bottom line," the right-hander said. "6-5, 6-1. As long as we won, that's all that matters."
Harden allowed his only run in the third inning. Carl Crawford hit a one-out triple just beyond the outstretched glove of Dye near the wall in right-center field. Harden then fanned Jose Cruz Jr. for the second out, but
Crawford scored on pitch to Aubrey Huff on a passed ball.
The A's had several opportunities to score against Devil Rays starter Jeremi Gonzalez.
Hatteberg doubled with one out in the second and advanced to third on a two-out infield single by Crosby, but Damian Miller struck out to end the threat.
Oakland also left two runners in the fourth and sixth innings.
"That's not something I worry about too much," Harden said of the stranded runners. "I have confidence in the guys and know that they're going to come through."
Bob Bellone is a contributor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Erubiel Durazo / DH
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