Oakland A’s hitter Shea Langeliers hits into a ground out in the top of the third inning against the Texas Rangers as Rangers pitcher Cody Bradford, catcher Johah Heim, and plate umpire Ramon De Jesus looks on at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Wed Apr 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Texas Rangers halted the A’s modest three-game winning streak on Wednesday night at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game was dominated by the Rangers’ lefty starter, Cody Bradford, who went six innings, allowing one unearned run, to secure his third win of the young 2024 season.

The Rangers emerged victorious with a 6-2 score on Wednesday. On the other hand, the A’s Ross Stripling, who had a stellar performance last Wednesday against the Red Sox, was handed his third loss of the year. Stripling struggled, conceding three runs in the first and three more in the fourth.

The A’s took an early lead in the first inning. A’s DH Abraham Toro started the inning with a single. However, the game took a turn when Bradford struck out Zack Gelof for the first out. J.D. Davis hit a ground ball to Rangers’ third baseman Josh Smith, whose throw to second base went into right field.

This error allowed Toro to stop at third, and Davis advanced to second. The A’s Shea Langeliers, who had a remarkable performance with three home runs on Tuesday night, was unable to replicate his success and struck out. The A’s Tyler Nevin, son of the former LA Angels skipper Phil Nevin, capitalized on the opportunity and singled to drive in Toro, scoring the A’s first run.

The Rangers, defending their 2023 World Series Championship, have a lineup with guys who can rake. Stripling knew that it would be tough getting these guys to make outs. In the first, Stripling retired the first two hitters, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.

The next hitter, the Rangers’ budding star, Evan Carter, doubled. Stripling walked Adolis Garcia. Josh Smit made up for his error in the first by singling to drive in Carter to tie the game. Garcia went third, and Smith went second on the throw to home plate.

The next hitter was catcher Jonah Heim. The A’s made one of the worst trades in recent memory when they sent Heim to the Rangers for shortstop Elvis Andrus. Heim became an All-Star catcher with the Rangers, and Andrus was cut adrift by the A’s last year. Heim singled driving in Garcia and Smuth. The Rangers led 3-1 after the end of the first inning.

Things went south for the A’s in the bottom of the fourth. The Rangers’ first baseman, Jared Walsh, who loved to torment the A’s when he was with the Los Angeles Angels, walked to start the frame. The Rangers’ DH Travis Jankowski beat out a bunt to put men on at first and second with no out.

Marcus Semien hurt his old team with a double to drive in the Rangers’ fourth run. The A’s walked Seager to load the bases. As A’s shortstop Nick Allen nailed Jankowski at home, Evan Carter reached on a fielder’s choice. The bases were still loaded. Adolis Garcia singled to drive in Semien and Seager. The Rangers led 6-1.

Bradford went six in 2/3rds innings. He allowed five hits and one run, which was unearned.

The A’s Zack Gelof homered in the top of the eighth, leading off the game. The A’s did not score again, and the Rangers won 6-2.

Game Notes-With the loss, the A’s are 4-8. The Rangers improved to 7-5. Cody Bradford was the winning pitcher. Ross Stripling was the loser.

Gelof homered for the second time this season. Rookie Darell Herniaz singled in the eighth to record his first Major League hit.
Langeliers, who homered three times Tuesday night, was the first A’s catcher to homer three times in a game. The last A’s catcher to achieve that feat was Mickey Cochrane, who did it in 1925. That was 99 years ago, fans. Baseball is a game that can humble any player. Langeliers was hitless Wednesday night, and he struck out twice.

The A’s finish the road trip on Thursday. They will then meet the Rangers for a day game that starts at 11:10 a.m PDT the A’s will start JP Sears (0-1 ERA 8.68) he’ll face the Rangers Jon Gray (0-0 ERA 6.14). The A’s return home to host the Washington Nationals Friday night.