Oakland A’s pitching couldn’t keep the Texas Rangers hitting at bay, the Rangers scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning in a three run win 5-2 at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sun Apr 23, 2023 (@Athletics photo)

Loses Continue to Mount For the Athletics Losing to Texas 5-2

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Oakland A’s (4-18) were back on the field in game three of their series with the Texas Rangers (14-7) the A’s dropped a three run decision to the Rangers 5-2 for their ninth loss in their last ten games. Oakland had a horrible loss on Saturday in game two in what was probably their worst game this season getting clobbered 18-3.

The A’s are on shaky ground and if things do not change they could wind up with the worst season record in modern baseball history surpassing the 1962 Mets who won only 40 games that season.

None of their starting pitchers have clocked a win yet this season. They are getting beaten in every way possible whether it be on the mound, hits in a game or defense. It has been an alarming start for the team this year. Last season they finished as the second worst team in baseball and they are on course to finish in last place this year.

It was a tough opening inning for Oakland pitcher Kyle Muller loading the bases. There was a bit of good news, however, when Muller got out of the inning unscathed. This was something he would not want to repeat especially against a team like the Rangers who have a slew of offensive giants.

In the second inning Muller threw a pitch down into Robbie Grossman’s comfort zone only to watch it sail out of the park, a three-run home run giving the Rangers a 3-0 lead.

Texas would score again in the fourth inning; Robbie Grossman sacrificed and Leody Taveras scored giving the Rangers a 4-0 lead.

Oakland would make an appearance on the scoreboard in the fifth inning when Shea Langliers hit a two-run home run. They had cut the Rangers lead in half 4-2.

It was a quiet sixth and seventh inning but it got boisterous in the eighth inning when Texas would load the bases. Relief pitcher Sam Moll was one strike away from saving the inning but walked the batter to load the bases. He then through a wild pitch and the Rangers scored extending their lead 5-2.

The A’s have not won a series this year, their pitchers have not won a start and they now sport a miserable 4-18 season record. This game was a loss but it was competitive unlike yesterday’s game. Oakland did face ace Texas pitcher Jacob DeGrom. DeGrom struck out 11, with no walks and 3 hits. The A’s had 5 hits in this game.

Monday evening the A’s will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Angels. The A’s will start Ken Waldichuk (0-2 ERA 7.65) for the Angels Jose Saurez (0-1 ERA 9.26) First pitch is scheduled for 6:38 PM.