Two-time Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin

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TAMPA , Fla. (AP) —has been released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who may look for a replacement in free agency.Martin rushed for a career-low 406 yards in 2017, when he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry after missing the first three games of the season while serving the remainder of a four-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancers.The release comes less than two years after Martin signed a five-year, $35.75 million contract that would have paid him $6.75 million in 2018.The 29-year-old was a first-round draft pick out of Boise State in 2012. He rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, but was slowed by an assortment of injuries for much of the past five seasons.He agreed to his big contract after rushing for 1 ,402 yards in 2016, finishing second in the league behind Adrian Peterson.Martin lost his starting job to second-year pro Peyton Barber late last season. Tuesday’s move leaves the Bucs in the market for a new featured back, which the team may seek in free agency or the draft.107<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader photo galleryReinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports | Reinhold Matay Stephen Piscotty was perfectly fine with Andy Green’s decision to walk Matt Olson to load the bases ahead of him with no outs in the eighth inning.

He liked Green’s move even more after hitting a go-ahead double to keep the plucky Athletics rolling along.

Piscotty doubled three times and had three RBIs, helping Oakland beat San Diego 4-2 on Wednesday.

”We know we have a really good offense and if we keep that game close anything can happen in any inning,” Piscotty said. ”We’ve been doing it all year. It’s a great testament to this team, how well we battle late.”

Khris Davis added an RBI single for the A’s , who have won 14 of 17 to move a season-high nine games over .500.

”We have a young group that’s played together that expects to win,” manager Bob Melvin said. ”There’s a lot more to go before we consider it special, but here recently we’ve been playing really well.”

Piscotty doubled in Olson in the second, and then had another two-base hit in the sixth. He snapped a 2-all tie in the eighth with a two-run double off Craig Stammen.

Green opted to pitch to Piscotty in the eighth. Jed Lowrie drew a leadoff walk off Jose Castillo (1-2) and Davis doubled before Olson was walked.

Chapman said the intentional walk was the smart play, even though it backfired on the Padres.

”Olson’s a power guy and he’s a left-hander and there’s a base open and it’s a tie ballgame. It made a lot of sense,” Piscotty said. ”I was ready as soon as guys were on second and third.”

Lou Trivino (7-1) retired two batters for the win. Blake Treinen pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Christian Villanueva hit his 17th home run for San Diego. The Padres lost all four games against the A’s this season.

”We’re not getting hits with runners in scoring position ,” said Green, who is in his third year managing the Padres. ”Sometimes the best thing you can do is relax, go play baseball and enjoy what you’re doing and then the hits start coming.”

OH SO SMOOTH

Oakland third baseman Matt Chapman was hitless in three at-bats, but helped with a pair of sparkling defensive plays. The A’s rookie made a diving stop on A.J. Ellis‘ grounder in the fourth, and then made a spinning backhand grab of Hunter Renfroe’s sharp grounder down the third-base line to begin a 5-4-3 double play in the sixth.

”You look at the box score and it shows oh-for, but for us he drove in like three runs ,” Melvin said. ”There’s two plays there that are going to lead to some runs probably for sure.”

STRONG STARTS, NO DECISIONS

Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision.

San Diego’s Luis Perdomo, who was called up from the minors before the game, allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in his first start since April 15.

Oakland’s Sean Manaea gave up two runs in seven innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: Closer Brad Hand rejoined the team after missing Tuesday’s game for personal reasons.

Athletics: A day after getting spiked on the side of his leg while covering first base, Chris Bassitt was still noticeably sore, but isn’t expected to miss his turn in the rotation. … RHP Daniel Mengden (sprained right foot) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

UP NEXT

Padres: LHP Eric Lauer (3-5 , 5.08 ERA) faces the Diamondbacks for the first time in his career Thursday in the opener of a four-game series in Arizona. Lauer had a 2.76 ERA in six June starts.

Athletics: RHP Paul Blackburn (2-2, 6.46) pitches Friday in Cleveland, seeking a second consecutive win over the Indians.

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