OAKLAND – Tampa Bay closer Troy Percival left Thursday's game against Oakland in the ninth inning after spraining his right knee while trying to field a sacrifice bunt.

Percival, who leads the Rays with 27 saves, entered the game with a 5-4 lead but issued a leadoff walk to Jack Hannahan. Oakland's Mark Ellis then attempted a sacrifice bunt that Percival fielded cleanly. After chasing Ellis down to record the out near the first-base line, the 38-year-old reliever limped back to the mound as a team trainer rushed out to check on him.

Percival then walked off the field with trainers and Grant Balfour replaced him. Balfour was unable to hold the lead and gave up a tying RBI single to Frank Thomas.

“I made the play and I never felt anything pop,” said Percival, who wore a thick brace on his right leg and had to use crutches to get around the Rays' clubhouse after the game.

“I took two steps back toward the mound and I was like, 'What the heck just happened?' It got worse and worse and I came in here and it got worse. Now I've got this brace on and I'm good.”

Manager Joe Maddon said Percival will remain with the team and will be re-evaluated on Friday, when the Rays begin a three-game series in Texas.