Rays Host A's In Rare True Doubleheader, First In MLB Since '11

The Rays yesterday hosted the first scheduled traditional doubleheader in MLB since '11, and the opening game against the A's "proved entertaining and dramatic over four hours." But "not so much" for the second game, which lasted about three hours. Despite "heavy promotion," the Tampa Bay market "responded with only tepid interest." An announced crowd of 17,775 was "certainly disappointing as the Rays were eyeing at least 20,000." It was a "fun experience, certainly in the opener, with its '70s-retro theme." The team wore "faux-throwback uniforms" with "old-school graphics on the video boards, team employees and broadcasters in costume." A couple hundred fans "took part in a banner parade between games" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/11).