WEST SACRAMENTO, California — The Rays needed a strong start from Ryan Pepiot Monday against a pesky A’s lineup, and they pretty much got it — at least until he allowed a three-run homer in the seventh inning.

Even better, they got a show of power from their offense, including back-to-back homers by Brandon Lowe (his 23rd) and Junior Caminero (his 33rd) as part of a 15-hit outburst.

Best off all, coming off a lost weekend in Seattle, they got a much-needed victory, 7-4 over the A’s.

“When you’re struggling, sometimes you need a lifeline. Hopefully, we can get more than one hand on the rope this time, maybe get a couple and start going up to higher spots. But it is what it is,” said closer Pete Fairbanks, who logged his 20th save.

“Even when you scuffle, I don’t think that anybody here

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