Espinosa, Nats get to Gray in third (A's rally to win 4-3 in 10)

A's ace Sonny Gray has allowed three earned runs in a game only twice this year. He surrendered that many in an inning when the Nationals jumped all over the American League ERA leader with three runs in the third. With one out, Danny Espinosa launched his fifth homer of the season to right-center for a 1-0 Nats lead. Zach Walters and Denard Span followed with singles to right before Kevin Frandsen doubled to center to score both runners and up the advantage to 3-0. In that one frame, Gray's ERA jumped from 1.91 to 2.34. In the bottom of the inning, John Jaso got Oakland on the board with a two-out solo homer to right-center. It was his third of the year and cut the Nats' lead to 3-1. Tanner Roark has allowed one run on one hit while striking out three through three innings. Update: After allowing three runs in the third, Gray settled down to hold the Nats scoreless for the next four frames. He has allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three in seven innings. But Roark hasn't only matched him - he's one-upped Gray. The Nats right-hander has retired 13 in a row since Jaso's homer in the bottom of the third, keeping the productive A's offense in place. Through seven innings, Roark has allowed just one run on one hit and walked none while striking out five. Roark has thrown 87 pitches, 57 for strikes, so it's a decent bet that he'll be back out for the eighth. Update II: Roark has another gem on his ledger, his third in four games. He was lifted with a man on third with two outs in the eighth. Tyler Clippard relieved and got Derek Norris to pop out to end the inning, preserving a pristine line for the starter. Roark allowed one run on two hits in 7 2/3 frames, striking out five and walking none. He retired 13 straight in the middle of his start. The 27-year-old has been so good that he has a 2.63 ERA over his last four starts, and that includes a dreadful outing at Philadelphia last Saturday when he allowed seven runs in four innings. Well, the complete-game shutout on April 26 certainly didn't hurt that figure. But it sure looks like Roark is earning the right to remain in the Nats rotation. The Nats still lead 3-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth. Update III: Nats closer Rafael Soriano blew his first save of the season by allowing two runs in the ninth. The Nats and A's are headed to extra innings tied 3-3. Soriano had converted each of his first seven chances of the year. Oakland started the inning with three straight hits - a Jaso single, a Jed Lowrie RBI double and a Josh Donaldson RBI single to tie the game. Soriano then retired the next three batters in order to end the inning and keep the game tied. So despite a gem, Roark will not get the win tonight on the West Coast. But he will get to watch extra innings. Update IV: The A's finished off the Nats in quick order. Reliever Sean Doolittle pitched a 1-2-3 top of the 10th and Drew Storen took the loss by allowing a run in the bottom of the inning for a 4-3 defeat. Alberto Callaspo led off the 10th with a single to right. Eric Sogard popped out on a bunt attempt and Daric Barton flew out to deep center. But Jaso was the hero, doubling off the right field wall with two outs, scoring pinch-runner Nick Punto from first to end the game. Heartbreaking loss for the Nats, who led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth but end the night with their second straight defeat. The Nats committed two more errors after making three on Friday and dropped to 19-17 overall.