by Charlie O. Mallonee

The A’s got a charge out of their starting battery to defeat the Rangers 7-1 in Texas on Sunday. Sonny Gray pitched 6.2 shutout innings and catcher Stephen Vogt provided the punch at the plate to lead Oakland to victory.

The win gave the A’s the series win 2 games to one. Oakland is now 11-15 on the season and the Rangers drop to 8-16.

On the Bump

Sonny Gray had to give it his all as the starter on Sunday. Gray worked 6.2 scoreless innings but they were not easy innings. Gray struck out 10, but he walked seven batters. He threw 119 pitches (69 strikes) giving up just two hits. That is the most pitches Gray has thrown in a game this season.

Gray had good control of his fastball and his slider in the game. His slider to left-handed hitters was particularly effective.

Dan Otero – who was pitching for the fifth consecutive day – relieved Gray. Otero faced just one hitter inducing him to fly out.

Chad Smith – just called up from Triple-A Nashville – pitched a scoreless eighth inning but struggled in the ninth. Smith loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth. R.J. Alvarez was brought in to close out the game.

Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo (2-4) was tagged with the loss. He gave up four runs (three earned) in his 6.2-innings of work.

In the Batter’s Box

Stephen Vogt led the offense for the Athletics on Sunday. He went two for three. Both of his hits were home runs which brings his total to six round trippers for the year. Yogt scored two runs, had four RBI and walked twice.

Josh Reddick continued his hot streak. He hit his fourth home run of the season – a two-run shot in the ninth. Reddick went two for four with two runs scored and two RBI.

Marcus Semien was two for five with a run scored while Brett Lawrie went two for four at the plate. Billy Burns and Eric Sogard also added one hit each.

The A’s scored their seven runs on 10 hits. Oakland left eight men on base and were two for seven with runners in scoring position.

Texas hitters struck out 13 times and left 14 men on base. The Rangers were one for 13 with runners in scoring position.

In the Field

The A’s defense was better in Texas,but they could not get out of the Lone Star state without committing a miscue. Sam Fuld dropped a fly ball in left field in the bottom of the sixth inning. Fortunately, the error did not cost the A’s a run.

The A’s did not turn a double play in the contest.

Up Next

The A’s left Texas and headed to Minnesota where they will play a four-game series with the Twins.

The A’s will send RHP Jesse Hahn (1-1, 2.86 ERA) to the hill to face the Twins’ RHP Phil Hughes (0-4, 4.55 ERA). Game time is 5:10 PDT.