Oakland A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn was racked up for five runs by the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Wed Jul 13, 2022 but settled down for the rest of his six inning stint (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Oakland A’s All Star representative Paul Blackburn got the Charlie Brown treatment surrendering five runs in the bottom of the first inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday as the Rangers got off to a quick 5-0 lead.

#2 Jerry, what were some of the things that Blackburn struggled with in that first inning was it a matter of his not getting tracked or the Rangers were just seeing the ball very well.

#3 For the rest of his start Blackburn pitched shutout ball for the next five innings in the remaining time of his start and found his control.

#4 It was that first inning five run rally that stood up for the Rangers who wound up getting the 5-2 win over the A’s. The A’s who scored only two runs and again lacked the hitting needed to get back in the game.

#5 Starting pitchers for Friday in Houston as the A’s have Thursday off for Oakland Cole Irvin (3-7, 3.32) and Houston manager Dusty Baker has not yet announced a starter for Friday a 5:10 pm PDT first pitch at Minute Maid Field. Jerry can the A’s rebound from the last series they had with the Astros.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com