Oakland A’s Tony Kemp (left) goes in for the diving slide for a run scored as San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (right) awaits for the late throw in the sixth inning Sun Jun 27, 2021 (AP News photo)

BY Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s finished a long cross-country road trip Sunday in San Francisco. The A’s played three in New York, four in Texas, and three in San Francisco. Playing well on the road for most of the season, the A’s did not fare well as they lost six of the ten games played. The Lost two to the Yankees, two to the Giants, and two to the Rangers, their next opponent. 

The A’s will send James Kaprelian to the hill Tuesday night to face the Rangers. In his last start against them on June 23rd, Kaprilian went six innings and allowed two runs. The A’s lost the game 5-3. Mike Foltynewicz also went six innings, and he, too, allowed two runs.

Neither pitcher figured in the decision. Foltynewicz will start for the Rangers Tuesday night. Folty’s record is 1-7 with a 5.40 ERA. Do not be fooled. He pitched very well against Oakland last week. On Wednesday, it will be Chris Bassitt going against Kolby Allard.

The two faced each other last Thursday in Texas. Bassitt held the Rangers in check as the A’s won 5-1. Bassitt is 8-2 for the year. Lefty Kolby Allard is 2-3 with a 3.33 ERA. On Thursday, Sean Manaea will pitch for Oakland. Manaea pitched very well in New York, but the A’s offense was shut down, and Sean had to absorb his fourth loss. Texas will have Dane Dunning on the mound. Dunning is 3-6 with an ERA of 4.63.

The Rangers are 30-48 for the year. The Rangers are rebuilding, and players are doing what they can to prove to the Rangers’ management, they are here to stay. Rumors are circulating about the status of right-fielder Joey Gallo.

Gallo has one year of arbitration left and will be a free agent at the end of next season. The Rangers are paying him 6.2 million a year. Since the team will not be in the playoffs this season, the Rangers may send him out of Texas to a contender for a parcel of prospects. Their best pitcher Kyle Gibson may be on the move, too.

The A’s cannot take the Rangers lightly. They managed to split the four-game series with Texas last week. It was not easy. The Rangers pounded Frankie Montas in the first game of the series. The A’s sprinted out to a 9-0 lead in the second game. Texas roared back and trailed 9-6 before the A’s scored four in the ninth to win. Texas won the third game 5-3. Chriss Bassitt held the Rangers to one run in the fourth game. 

.If the A’s pitching does its job, they can stop the Ranger offense. The A’s need to keep winning to keep pace with the Houston Astros. The Astros were 8-2 in their last games to go two games up on the A’s in the race for first place in the AL West.

The schedule doesn’t get easier for Oakland. After the three with Texas, the A’s will host the AL East Divison leader, the Boston Red Sox, for three games this weekend. The A’s then go to Texas to play three against the Houston and Astros and three more against the Rangers. 

Injury Update: The A’s placed Mark Canha on the 10-day IL on June 25th. Canha has a left hip strain. J.B.Wendelken, out with a strained left oblique, has been participating in baseball activity and should be back soon. Stephen Piscotty, also on the 10-day IL, had a sprained left wrist. He received a cortisone shot last week and is expected to resume baseball activity this week. Out of action since the start of the season due to right shoulder inflammation, Trevor Rosenthal is scheduled to return to action in August.