A's grant veteran reliever Chris Ray his release

The A's and veteran reliever Chris Ray have parted ways just 13 days after the team signed him to a minor league contract. Ray had an out in his contract and requested his release.Ray had pitched six innings in six games with Sacramento, allowing seven hits and four runs. He gave up one homer, issued six walks and struck out six. The move clears room on the River Cats' roster for rehabbing pitcher Brett Anderson.Ray, 30, spent five seasons with the Orioles where he had 51 career saves, earning a career-high 33 saves for Baltimore in 2006. Ray was in the Giants' organization in 2010, and was with the Mariners in 2011.Ray spent the early part of the 2012 season in the Cleveland Indians' organization at the Triple-A level. He was 2-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 33 games. He had 11 saves and 30 strikeouts, with 17 walks. He was granted his release by the Indians on July 7.Last season in 29 games with the Mariners, Ray had a 4.68 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched. He struck out 22 batters and walked 12. His average fastball velocity is 93.7 mph, and he throws a slider, a changeup and mixes in a splitter that averages 86.1 mph.