The Oakland A’s shortstop Nick Allen (2) is seen here throwing out the Texas Rangers Leody Taveras at first base in the top of the sixth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Aug 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

My, oh, my. On a beautiful afternoon in Oakland on Wednesday, the A’s much-maligned pitching staff stopped the powerful Texas Rangers offense. The Rangers have scored the most runs of any team in the American League.

The Rangers have guys up and down the lineup that can hit the ball out of the park. Yet, A’s manager Mark Kotsay’s decision to go with an opener paid dividends. Austin Pruitt started for the Green and Gold and walked just one batter in his two innings.

Freddy Tarnook took over in the third, giving the A four scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. Angel Felipe and Kirby Snead pitched in the seventh and eighth. Neither pitcher allowed a hit. A’s closer Trevor May recorded his 12th save of the year to preserve the ‘s 2-0 win.

The Rangers sent lefty Jordan Montgomery to the mound to face the A’s. Montgomery, acquired by Texas from the St.Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, was hoping to notch his second win as a member of the Rangers. Montgomery gave the Rangers a quality start.

He went six innings, allowing two runs, seven hits, and one home run. Montgomery struck out five and walked one. Texas Rangers’ manager Bruce Bochy had to be pleased with Montgomery’s performance rather than the game’s outcome.

Here’s how the A’s scored their runs. With one out in the bottom of the third inning, A’s centerfielder Esteury Ruiz singled. Ruiz, second in baseball with 44 steals before Wednesday’s game, promptly stole second and third.

It was his 45th and 46th stolen bases of the season. Third baseman Jonah Bride’s sacrifice fly drove in Ruiz with the game’s first run.

The A’s put their second run of the game on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Rookie second baseman Zack Gelof led off the frame with his sixth home run to make it 2-0. Gelof’s sixth home run in 22 games made A’s history. Gelof became the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat. 

The Rangers threatened to score in the top of the ninth. Trevor May was brought in from the bullpen to close out the game. May retired two good Ranger hitters, Aroldis Garcia, and Leody Taveras. Singles by catcher Sam Huff and Robbie Grossman put the tying runners on base.

Ranger third baseman Josh Smith came to the plate as the potential go-ahead run. May got Smith to line out to A’s shortstop Nick Allen. The A’s win 2-0.

Game Notes: With the win, the A’s are now 33-82, still the worst record in baseball. The Rangers are 68-47. Texas is in first place in the AL West Division and leads the second-place Houston Astros by 2 and 1/2 games.

Zack Gelof and Estuery Ruiz were the entire A’s offense on Wednesday. Gelof’s home run and Ruiz’s baserunning were the ingredients that gave the A’s the win. The A’s pitching was outstanding. The A’s held the Rangers to just two hits for the first eight innings. The Rangers had two singles in the ninth but failed to score.

Freddy Tarnok received credit for his first win of the year. May recorded his 12th save.

The line score for Oakland was two runs, seven hits, and no errors.

The Rangers’ line was no runs, four hits, and no errors.

The A’s are off on Thursday. Starting Friday night, they will play a three-game series with the Washington Nationals in the Nation’s Capitol. The A’s then travel to St Louis to play the Cardinals. Both teams are having a down year. The A’s will be hoping to capitalize on both teams’ problems.

Friday’s starters: For Oakland Paul Blackburn (2-2 ERA 4.35) Washington has not announced a starter first pitch 4:05pm PT at Nationals Park.