Tag: texas rangers

Rangers end seven game losing streak beating the Athletics 5-3 Friday night

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a's nunez hr

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Game 160 is in the books for the Oakland Athletics and it will go into the loss column as the Texas Rangers won the game 5-3. After falling behind early in the game, the A’s fought their way back into the contest but could not overcome the Rangers five-run lead.

The end of a dream

The Athletics (74-86) went into the final four-game series in Texas with the goal of catching the Rangers in the standings and finishing the season in a tie for fourth-place in the American League West. The only way that could happen was for the A’s to sweep the series in Arlington. That cannot happen now and the A’s will finish alone in last place in the West.

Perez gets his revenge

The A’s chased Martin Perez from the game last Sunday in Oakland when they scored five runs off him in the bottom of the fifth-inning. Perez went to the showers after 4.2-innings on the mound and was tagged with the loss as the Athletics completed a sweep of the Rangers.

On Friday night, Perez worked 6.0 — innings giving up three runs (all earned) off five hits. He walked two and struck out two A’s. Perez allowed one home run.

Three Texas relief pitchers worked one inning each and allowed no runs and no hits in their time on the mound. The relievers worked the principle of the “Goose Eggs” to perfection. By allowing no runs in their three innings of relief work, they preserved the win for Perez.

Nunez chased Perez from the game

In the top of the seventh inning, Perez walked the leadoff batter Khris Davis. He then gave up a single to Ryon Healy that allowed Davis to move up to second base. That brought rookie Renato Nunez to the plate who took a 1-2 Perez fastball over the wall in right-center field for a three-run home run — the first of his MLB career. Unfortunately for the A’s, that would be the end of their scoring for the night.

Alcantara takes the loss

a's alcan tex

Raul Alcantara made another start for Oakland on Friday night. He struggled in his 4.1-innings of work. Alcantara allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits. He walked two, struck out two and allowed one home run. Alcantara (1-2) was tagged with the loss.

The A’s used four relief pitchers. Moll gave up a run while Castro, Casilla and Coulombe were able to post “Goose Eggs”.

Texas was efficient at the plate

a's andrus

The Rangers scored five runs off nine hits while leaving six runners on base. They were 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

  • Shin-Soo Choo tied a career high by hitting his 22nd home run of the season with a runner on base raising his RBI total to 78.
  • Elvis Andrus hit his 43rd double of the year.
  • DH Nomar Mazara went 2-for-4 with two RBI and run scored. He raised his RBI total to 99 for 2017.
  • Rookie Willie Calhoun — who was born in Vallejo — went 3-for-4 in the game with an RBI.

A’s with the bats

  • Jed Lowrie broke the all-time Oakland record for doubles in a season when he hit number 48 off Perez Friday night. Jason Giambi was the previous record holder with 47.
  • The A’s scored three runs on seven hits while leaving seven men on base.
  • Oakland went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Up next on Saturday

The A’s will send right-hander Daniel Gossett (1-4, 6.81) to the hill to face the Rangers RHP Andrew Cashner (7-4, 3.42). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.

Photos by USA Today Sports Andrew Dieb

Athletics sweep the Rangers out of town by winning 8-1 on Sunday in Oakland

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DSC08542
Jed Lowrie loads up to hit a two-run double Photo Jordan Chapin Sports Radio Service

by Charlie O. Mallonee and Jordan Chapin

Oakland – The Athletics have now won seven games in a row after sweeping a three-game series from the Wild Card contending Texas Rangers. The A’s completed the sweep with an 8-1 win on Sunday in front of 18,706 fans at the Coliseum on “Hecho en Oakland” Day.

This was also the second consecutive series sweep for the Athletics who took a three-game series from the Tigers in Detroit to wrap up a nine-game road trip. Oakland has now won seven consecutive games. That is their longest winning streak of the season.

The Athletics (72-83) have won 14 games in September – the most in any month this year.

Warning!

Many experts will tell you not to fall in love with “September baseball”. There is some great wisdom in that statement. Rosters have been expanded. Players may be playing over their heads as they try to impress the front offices. Some veterans are just going through the motions. It is not a true barometer of what is going to happen in the future.

In the case of the Athletics, two very important things have happened in September that are worth noting for the future:

  • This young Oakland roster has learned to win on the road. The A’s have been tough at home all season but have been terrible away from the Coliseum. This newly constituted roster of “young guns” has taken on the challenge from Bob Melvin and learned how to win on the road. That is a lesson that can carry over into April of next year.
  • The Athletics also became a team that plays their division opponents tough. The A’s swept a four-game series from the Astros in September. Now they have swept the Rangers. Taking care of business with the teams in your division is the key to becoming competitive and moving toward becoming a playoff contender.

Pitching was a real key for the A’s

Jharel Cotton started the game for Oakland. He had to be scratched from his scheduled started start in Detroit due a strained groin. He showed no signs of having any problems with that issue during the game on Sunday.

Cotton threw his fastball at speeds of up to 95 mph and then would stop-down the change-up by as much as 15 mph. The Rangers hitters were just completely off-balance.

Cotton worked 5.0 – innings allowing no runs on just one hit. He walked one Texas batter while striking out six. Cotton threw 77 pitches (51 strikes).

Cotton set the side down in order in the third, fourth and fifth innings.

After the game, Cotton had nothing but compliments for the way his teammates played in the game.

Cotton is now 9-10 on the season and has the most wins for any rookie pitcher in the American League.

It was revealed after the game that Cotton experienced some tightness in his throwing elbow and that is why he did not continue after the fifth inning. He appeared to be fine in the clubhouse after the game.

Oakland exploded for five runs in the fifth, two in the sixth and added one in the eighth

The Athletics insured the win for Cotton by posting five runs off Texas starter Martin Perez (12-12) in the home half of the fifth inning. Catcher Josh Phegley led the inning off with a base hit and eventually eight batters would come to the plate.

The big hit of the inning came off the bat of Khris – yes you can call me “Krush” – Davis who hit his 41st home run of the year off Perez. It was a two-run shot that hit off the concrete wall just under the windows of the suites in straightaway center field.

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Khris Davis at the plate against the Rangers Photo by Jordan Chapin Sports Radio Service

Athletics in the batter’s box

  • As a team: 8 runs on 10 hits, six men left on base, 5-for-13 with Runners In Scoring Position
  • Phegley 2-for-3 with a double (11) and an RBI (10)
  • Chapman 2-for-5 including two doubles (21) and two RBI (36)
  • Khris Davis also recorded his 105th RBI

Oakland relief pitching

The relievers did not have a perfect outing as all four were not able to post “Goose Eggs” in the run column. Simon Castro – who worked 1.2-innings of relief – did give up one run on a solo home run to Normar Mazara (20). That was the only run the Rangers would score.

Daniel Coulombe, Santiago Casilla and Liam Hendriks combined to work 2.1-innings of scoreless relief for the A’s and preserve the victory.

A’s manager Bob Melvin was pleased with his team after the game

Melvin also spoke about team goals, the health of Matt Olson and Bruce Maxwell’s kneeling.

Texas Rangers

There has not been much mention of the Rangers in this article because for all intensive purposes their season came to an end today. They came into this weekend series still contending for a potential spot as a Wild Card team in the American League Playoffs. After the loss on Sunday, the Rangers are 5.5 games behind the Twins for the second Wild Card slot with seven games remaining to play.

The Rangers final seven games are all home games. They have a three-game series with the Astros that begins on Monday and a four-game series with the A’s that begins on Thursday.

The Twins are on a four-game winning streak.

Up next

The A’s begin their final three-game home series of the season on Monday night with Seattle Mariners. RHP Daniel Gossett (4-9,5.38) will start for Oakland while Seattle will send “King” Felix Hernandez (5-5,4.57) to the hill.

A’s meet the Texas Rangers as the 2017 home season comes to a close.

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Oakland Athletics’ Boog Powell, center, slides to score beneath Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos, right, in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. Powell scored on a single by teammate Marcus Semien. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND- The Oakland A’s start the final homestand of the season as they play three games against the Texas Rangers and three with the Seattle Mariners. The A’s finish the season on the road as they will meet the Rangers again for four games in Arlington.

The A’s finished the nine-game to Boston, Philadelphia, and Detroit with a record of 6-3. The young players have been sparking the offense, and they are building confidence that this team will be competitive next season. The front office will have to strengthen the starting rotation and the bullpen if the A’s are going to make it back to the playoffs. The fans can see the improvement as players such as Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Chad Pinder, Boog Powell, Bruce Maxwell all have made contributions to the offense since they were called up from Nashville. Khris Davis, Jed Lowrie, and Matt Joyce, all veterans, have played well. Davis and Joyce are under contract for next season.Lowrie is not, and he may be with another team come spring.

The young A’s will be squaring off against the Texas Rangers starting Friday night. The Rangers are still alive in the chase for the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Entering play tonight, the Rangers were just 2 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins. Their chances are slim, but the A’s would love nothing better than to help eliminate them from contention. The Rangers are a veteran team. They do not hit for average, but they have several players that can knock the ball out of the park. They are led by Adrian Beltre. The veteran third baseman was on the DL for part of the season. He reached the 3000 hit plateau earlier this season, and he is a sure bet for baseball’s Hall of Fame. Shortstop Elvis Andrus is having a good year. He is hitting .301 and has 41 doubles and 20 homers on his stat sheet. Mike Napoli, Joey Gallo, and Rougned Odor are not hitting for average, but they have hit 29, 38, and 30 home runs respectively. Gallo and Odor are just 23-years old. The outfield will be manned by Nomar Mazara, Delino DeShields, Shin-soo Choo, and if he is able to play, Carlos Gomez.

Kendall Graveman will go for Oakland Friday night. Graveman is 2-0 with an ERA of 2.61 and a WHIP of just 1.07 in his last three starts against the Rangers. Nick Martinez will pitch for Texas. Martinez is 0-1 with an ERA of 4.15 in his two starts against the A’s. Saturday’s game will feature the Rangers’ Nick Martinez going against leftSean Manaea. Gonzalez is 8-11 but has won only once after coming over from the White Sox. This will be his first start against Oakland. Manaea is 11-10 but had a rough road trip. He was bombed in Boston but got the win in Philly. In his last two starts in Oakland, Manaea has allowed just two runs in 11 innings of work. Lefty Martin Perez pitches for Texas on Sunday, but the A’s have not announced their starter as of Thursday.

This weekend will be Fan Appreciation Weekend at the Coliseum. Friday night is the annual Filipino Heritage night. There will be a Star Wars themed fireworks display after the game. Sunday’s game will be Hispanic Heritage Day. Lots a giveaways as a thank you to the fans that have been so loyal supporting this club this year.

A’s power up and chase Hamels to the showers beating the Rangers 8-3 on Saturday

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A's nickname jerseys

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Sean Manaea works five strong innings for Oakland

All eyes were on the big lefty as the A’s had given him extra rest to see if he could get back to his previous form after having been knocked around by Baltimore and not having a stellar outing versus Houston. The concern really was over how his arm was holding up over the long season.

It looked like the Athletics were in for a long afternoon when Manaea gave up two runs (both earned) on three hits in the top of the first inning. No team wants to be down two runs before they have a chance to come to bat. It appeared Manaea was in for a short day.

The A’s and Manaea got a real shot in the arm in the home-half of the first when “Chi” Chad Pinder hit a 2-0 pitch from Texas starter Cole Hamels over the center field fence for his 11th home run of the year. With his team down by just a run, Manaea went back out with renewed confidence.

Manaea would go on to work four additional innings of scoreless baseball for the A’s. He did get into a major jam in the top of the fifth inning when Texas loaded up the bases but he managed to get “Porterhouse” Mike Napoli to strikeout to end the inning without the Rangers scoring a run.

Manaea worked 5.0-innings allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits. He walked just one and struck out two Rangers. Manaea threw 102 pitches (60 strikes).

Manaea earned the win and improved his record to 9-8 for 2017.

The Oakland Relievers did their job putting up some “Goose Eggs”

This reporter is a disciple of Matt Silver and FiveThirtyEight.com. They have recently proposed that the concept of the save is outdated with the way relievers are being used in baseball. They have come with the concept of “Goose Eggs” to measure how relievers do for a team in a game.

On Saturday, four A’s relievers were asked to handle the final four innings of the game. They gave up one run (earned) on two hits. The relievers walked two Texas hitters and struck out five. It was a very good outing for the relief corps.

Each reliever worked one inning. Ryan Dull put up all zeros and struck out three. Santiago Casilla allowed a run off two hits; however he was hit on a “comebacker”. Not trying to make excuses for Casilla but that may have affected his performance. Daniel Coulombe posted zeros except for one walk. Liam “Slydah” Hendriks worked the ninth inning allowing no runs or hits. He did walk one and strike one batter out.

A’s manager Bob Melvin was pleased with his pitching and his offense on Saturday

It was good to be Chad “Chi” Pinder on Saturday

Pinder not only hit a home run off Cole Hamels in the bottom of the first inning but he added insult to injury by taking Hamels yard in bottom of the third with a booming shot over the left-center field fence for his 12th round-tripper of the season. It was also the second multi-home run game of the season (and career) for Pinder. He did it versus the Indians in Cleveland back in May.

Pinder went 2-for-4 on the day scoring three runs, posting three Rbi and adding one walk. He upped his Rbi total to 31.

The young infielder also got the start on Saturday in right field. The A’s are flush with young infield talent. Pinder can really help his cause if he can add playing strong outfield to his resume.

The A’s produced runs today in multiple ways

Jed Lowrie hit his 39th and 40th doubles of the season in the game. He is now tied for the league lead in that category. Lowrie went 2-for-3 with three Rbi and a run scored. It is no wonder the A’s have been so reluctant to part ways with the very productive veteran.

Marcus Semien had a 2-for-4 game scoring two runs. One of his hits was a double.

Matt Chapman continues to be productive. He went 2-for-4 at the plate on Saturday with a run scored.

Oakland scored eight runs on 11 hits. They recorded four doubles and two home runs. They drew eight base-on-balls while striking out just four times. The A’s left six men on base and were 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

A’s hitters were not kind to Cole Hamels

Hamels came into the game on Saturday with a record of 9-1. He lasted only 4.1-innings which was his shortest start of the year. It was just third time this season that Hamels allowed multiple home runs to be hit against him. He gave up six runs (all earned) off nine hits (two home runs). He walked three A’s and struck out two. Hamels was charged with the loss so his record drops to 9-2.

Same two teams on Sunday

The Athletics go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PDT at the Oakland Coliseum. Former Oakland Athletic RHP A.J. Griffin (6-4, 5.10) will start for the Rangers. Griffin lost his last start against the White Sox last Sunday. The A’s will send RHP Jharel Cotton (6-10, 5.63) to the mound in the series finale. Cotton beat the Astros in his last start a week ago on Sunday in Houston.

A’s mess with Texas 9-1 in a laugher to win series

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Photo credit: Oakland Athletics’ Twitter (@Athletics)

By: Ana Kieu

OAKLAND — The Oakland Athletics concluded a three-game series against the Texas Rangers with a lopsided 9-1 victory at O.co Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon.

The A’s suffered a 7-0 blowout by the Rangers in the series opener on Monday. They followed with a 4-2 win over the rival Rangers on Tuesday. Ultimately, they won the series, taking two out of three games. A’s right-handed pitcher Jesse Hahn (1-1) notched the win against  Rangers left-handed pitcher Martin Perez (1-2).

Ryon Healy put the A’s on the board 1-0 with a line-drive single that scored Rajai Davis in the bottom of the first inning. Josh Phegley followed with a double, driving home Healy and Khris Davis to make it 3-0 A’s. Yonder Alonso added an RBI double to extend the A’s lead to 4-0 to end the inning on a high note.

The A’s made a questionable call in the top of the first inning, claiming Robinson Chirinos was out at first base. The Rangers challenged the call and the officials declared that Chirinos was safe.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister was ejected from the ballgame in the bottom of the third inning after arguing that the A’s ball was foul, but it was ruled a fair ball.

Joey Gallo ruined the A’s shutout bid with a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Davis expanded the A’s lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. He hit a two-run home run and brought home Trevor Plouffe for his seventh of the season.

The runs just kept pouring in during the sixth inning. Chad Pinder scored his first home run of the season, increasing the A’s lead to 7-1. Plouffe then hit a two-run single that scored Davis and Adam Rosales for a 8-1 lead.

The A’s defeated the Rangers 9-1.

Notes
Disabled list 
John Axford (strained right shoulder)
Chris Bassitt (right UCL surgery)
Kendall Graveman (strained right shoulder)
Sonny Gray (strained right shoulder)
Daniel Mengden (right foot surgery)
Marcus Semien (fractured scaphoid bone)
Jake Smolinski (right shoulder surgery)
Joey Wendle (strained right shoulder)

Wednesday’s attendance was 14,031.

Up Next
The A’s will open up a four-game homestand against the Seattle Mariners, starting on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. PST on NSCA, RTNW.

Astros vs Athletics Sunday finale postponed due to rain – looking ahead to the Rangers

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

rainout

OAKLAND–The third and final game of the series between the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics that was scheduled to begin at 1:05 pm on Sunday has been postponed due inclement weather. A quick check of the records appear to make this the first postponement in Oakland since April 4, 2014 when a Mariners – A’s game had to be canceled due to a wet infield. The tarp was not put on the infield the night before and a rainstorm drenched the field.

In some ways, this may be a relief for the Athletics. The Astros mastery of the A’s continued on Saturday as they overcame a strong pitching performance by Sean Manaea that included 5-plus no-hit innings to comeback and win the game 10-6.

Houston is now 2-0 versus the Athletics in 2017 and have won nine consecutive games  from the A’s dating back to last season.

The make up date has not been announced. The Astros next visit to Oakland is June 19-22 for a four-game series. It is highly unlikely that it would be turned into a five-game series due to pitching rotations. That would make the three-game series scheduled for September 8-10 the best candidate for a day-night doubleheader. Oakland has an off day on September 7 and a travel day on the 11th.

The A’s and Astros in the standings

A's elephant logoAstros primary logo

 

 

 

 

The Athletics started the day in third place in the American League West with a record of 5-7. They are three games back of the Astros. Oakland is 4-6 in their last 10 games and have lost three games in a row.

The Astros currently lead the AL West with eight wins and four losses. That is the best record in the American League. Houston is 6-4 in their last 10 games and have won four consecutive games.

Up next

The Athletics are scheduled to begin a three-game series with the Texas Rangers on Monday night in Oakland. The A’s are 1-2 versus the Rangers so far this season.

A’s manager Bob Melvin has announced that the plan is to push the pitching rotation back a game so the probables will be as follows:

Mon 4/17 vs TEX   RHP Jharel Cotton (1-1, 3.97) vs. RHP A.J. Griffin (1-0, 6.75) 7:05

Tue 4/18 vs TEX    RHP Andrew Triggs (2-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Yu Darvish (1-1, 2.33) 7:05

Wed 4/19 vs TEX RHP Jesse Hahn (0-1, 3.75) vs. LHP Martin Perez (1-1, 2.20) 12:35

Roster moves for the Athletics

pinder
Chad Pinder

Shortstop Marcus Semien has been placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday due to a right wrist contusion. Semien is scheduled to have more testing on the wrist performed on Monday.

Infielder Chad Pinder has been recalled by the A’s from Triple-A Nashville to take Semien’s place on the roster.

Pinder was batting .324 for the Sounds with one RBI in nine games. He had played six games at second base and three games at shortstop for Nashville. Pinder made his Major League debut with the A’s last season batting .235 with four RBI in 22 games.

Graveman flirts with a “no-no” as A’s beat the Rangers 6-1 in Texas

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers
Kendall Graveman worked seven strong innings versus the Rangers on Saturday Photo USA Today Sports

Pitchers are supposed to need two to three starts before really being ready for the long regular season that is Major League Baseball. Someone forgot to tell that to A’s starter Kendall Graveman.

Graveman won his second game of the young season on Saturday night as the Athletics beat the Texas Rangers in Arlington 6-1. Graveman carried a no-hitter through 6.2-innings. The A’s righty lost his no-hit bid when Mike Napoli hit a sinker over the center field wall for a two-out home run. Graveman finished the inning after giving up a single to Rougned Odor – he induced Jonathon Lucroy to line out for the third out.

Graveman went 7.0-innings giving up one run (earned) on two hits. He struck out five and walked one. Graveman threw 85 pitches (58 strikes).

The Oakland bullpen did its job to perfection on Saturday night as well. Santiago Casilla came in and worked a perfect eighth inning that included one strike out. Ryan Madson took the mound in the ninth in a non-save situation and put nothing but zeros in book except for two strikeouts.

With Sonny Gray still on the sidelines, having Graveman (2-0, 2.08) perform this well in the number one spot in the rotation had to be encouraging to the Athletics coaching staff.

The A’s scored all of their runs in the final four innings of the game. They scored one in the sixth, one in the seventh, three in the eight and an one insurance run in the top of the ninth inning.

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers
Yonder Alonso celebrates his first home run of 2017 Photo: USA Today Sports

Yonder Alonso was the man of the hour for the A’s on Saturday night. He went 2-for-4 at the plate, scored two runs and drove in two runs. He moved up to third base on Mike Napoli’s throwing error in the seventh inning and scored on Rajai Davis’ sacrifice fly. Alonso scored his second run when he hit first home run of the season in the bottom of eighth inning with Jed Lowrie on base.

Jed Lowrie continues to be on fire at the plate for the A’s. He went 3-for-4 including a double on Saturday with one RBI and one run scored. Lowrie’s batting average now stands at an impressive .381.

Rajai Davis had what may have been a breakout game for him by going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Oakland scored their six runs on 10 hits. They left seven runners on base. The A’s were 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers
Yu Darvish took the loss versus the A’s Photo: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Yu Darvish (0-1, 3.65) started his second game of the season and took the loss. Darvish worked 6.0-innings and gave up one run (earned) on four hits. He struck five A’s batters and walked three. Darvish threw 91 pitches (61 strikes).

The Rangers used a total of five pitchers in the game.

Texas left two men on base and went 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position. When you only have two base runners, your RISP numbers look really sad.

The rubber game of the series will be played on Sunday

Texas Manaea
Sean Manaea will take the hill for the A’s on Sunday in Texas

The A’s and Rangers will get underway at 12:05 p.m. on Sunday. Oakland’s LHP Sean Manaea (0-0, 6.00) will go up against the Rangers’ LHP Martin Perez (0-1, 4.50).

Manaea worked 6.0-innings on Tuesday night versus the Angels giving up four runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out four. Manaea wound up with a no-decision in that game that A’s eventually lost.

The A’s meet the Rangers for the last time this season starting Friday

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: The Texas Rangers Carlos Beltran watched the flight of his home run against the Los Angeles Angels Wed Sep 21 as Angels catcher Carlos Perez watches in the fifth inning at the Ball Park in Arlington. Beltran will be in Oakland to face the A’s on Friday night.

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s, tied for last in the AL West with the Los Angeles Angels, host the first-place Texas Rangers for a three-game set starting Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s want to be spoilers as they can throw a monkey wrench into the Rangers’ hopes for the best record in the AL. The Rangers lead the Boston Red Sox by just one game for the best record. The Beantown boys have won eight in a row sweeping a four-game series from the Yankees at home last week and have done the same to the Orioles this week in Baltimore.

The Rangers, managed by Jeff Banister, would love to sweep the A’s here in Oakland and get a little revenge for losing two out of three to the A’s last week in Texas. The Rangers have two players that have been to the World Series but have never won a championship. Carlos Beltran and Adrian Beltre have thirteen All-Star appearances, seven Gold Gloves, 5,543 hits, 862 dingers, 3097 ribbies and zero World Series rings. The Rangers will be sending their best hurlers to face the A’s this weekend. Cole Hamels, their ace, will pitch Friday night. Yu Darvish, whom the A’s pounded last weekend and is 2-8 against Oakland, goes on Saturday and Colby Lewis throws on Sunday. Lewis loves to pitch against Oakland and usually owns the Green and Gold but as they say in baseball” you never know.” The A’s will counter with Kendall Graveman, Raul Alcantara, and Jharel Cotton.

The Rangers have a lineup with hitters that can knock the stuffing out of a baseball. Beltran and Beltre head the list. They also have had production from second baseman Rougned Odor, shortstop Elvis Andrus, and Jurickson Profar who can play several positions and first baseman Mitch Moreland. Ian Desmond has had a terrific season coming to Texas as a free agent. Desmond had a hard time finding a club but he found a home in Arlington with the Rangers. His average is .287 and has banged twenty-two balls out of the yard so far to go along with eighty-four RBIs. Other outfielders are Nomar Mazara and Carlos Gomez. The Rangers signed Gomez after he was released by the Houston Astros and he has played much better since coming to the Rangers.

Jonathan Lucroy obtained at the trade deadline from Milwaukee, anchors the catching and he had shown the AL the reasons why he was on several All-Star teams when he was in the National League. The Texas bullpen has been stout, and closer Sam Dyson has recorded thirty-five saves. Matt Bush and Jake Diekman have played a huge role in the bullpen’s success, too.

The A’s, as mentioned earlier, would love nothing better to upset the Rangers’ apple cart. The A’s young guns Ryon Healy, Joey Wendle, Brett Eibner, Matt Smolinski, Bruce Maxwell along with veterans Stephen Vogt, Danny Valencia, Marcus Semien, and Khris Davis will be giving their all to defeat the Rangers. A’s manager Bob Melvin would like nothing better than to sweep the Rangers and then head to Los Angeles and Seattle to end the season. The young guys will be playing for next year, and the vets want to show the A’s that they are worth keeping.  Lots to play for this weekend.

 

The Rangers beat the A’s again, Sweep the Series

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Texas Rangers starter Yu Darvish looks at the plate from the mound in the seventh had command over the Oakland A’s on Wednesday night at the Ball Park in Arlington

Arlington, Texas- The Texas Rangers, behind a terrific pitching performance by Yu Darvish and clutch hitting by Ian Desmond and Jonathan Lucroy, beat the A’s 6-2 to sweep the three-game series. Darvish earned his second win ever over the A’s. The A’s, in the past, owned Darvish. Darvish won his first start against the A’s in a rookie season and was 0-8 against them until Wednesday night. The A’s rookie lefty, Sean Manaea, pitched well for four innings. The Rangers scored twice in the fifth and three in the seventh. Manaea absorbed his eighth loss of the year. He went six-plus innings and allowed nine hits and five runs.

The A’s got off to a good start in the first inning. Coco Crisp hit a solo homer on just the second pitch of the game. It was his eleventh homer of the year. The Rangers tied the game in the bottom of then fourth when Jonathan Lucroy slammed a pitch into the left-field seats. Lucroy, an All-Star in Milwaukee, is thriving in Texas since his arrival at the trade deadline.  The game is even at one after four innings of play.

The A’s regained the lead in the fifth. Jake Smolinski hit his seventh homer of the year leading off the inning. The lead didn’t last long as the Rangers scored two in their half of the fifth. Ranger shortstop, Elvis Andrus, led off with a single. With one out, Delino DeShields doubled to put men on at second and third with one out. Ian Desmond followed with a single to put the Rangers in the lead 3-2.

The Rangers score three more in the seventh. Ian Desmond had a single with the bases loaded to drive in the Rangers’ fourth run. Carlos Beltran hit into a 4-2-3 double play. The A’s issued a free pass to Adrian Beltre to load the bases for the second time in the inning. Lucroy doubled down the right field line to drive in the final two runs of the game. The Ranger bullpen shut the A’s down in the eighth and ninth to secure the win for Texas.

Game Notes- The hitting stars for Texas were Jonathan Lucroy and Ian Desmond. Lucroy had a homer and double and knocked in three.Desmond had two singles, and he also had three ribbies.Yu Darvish improved to 4-3. Darvish pitched seven-plus innings and allowed eight hits and two runs.

The A’s have lost five straight and six of the last seven. The A’s were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position Wednesday and 2-for- 23 in the last two games. The A’s are now 52-69 and are seventeen games under .500.

The A’s made some roster moves Wednesday.The A’s called up Chad Pinder from Triple-A Nashville. Pinder can fill in at either shortstop or second base.  The A’s placedTyler Ladendorf on the 15-day DL with a sprained wrist and Jed Lowrie was moved to the 60-day DL.

The A’s are off on Thursday and will face the Chicago White Sox in Chicago for three games in Chicago.

Time of game was two hours and fifty-four minutes, and 26,743 people were on hand to see the Rangers complete the sweep.

 

 

The Rangers find a way to beat the A’s in ten innings

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Rougned Odor gets in a headlock from Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos, Elvis Andrus left, AJ Griffin center right, and Nomar Mazara right celebrate the walk off hit by thrown by the Oakland A’s reliever Marc Rzepczynski in the tenth inning that hit Odor with the bases loaded at the Ball Park in Arlington on Tuesday night

Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers rallied from a two-run deficit in the bottom of the tenth when A’s reliever Marc Rzepczynski hit Rangers’ second baseman, Rougned Odor, with a pitch with the bases loaded to force in the winning run. The final score was 5-4. There is a saying in sports that says bad teams will find a way to lose and good teams will find a way to win. The A’s had their chances to put the game in the win column, but they couldn’t capitalize when necessary. The Rangers should have lost the game but the A’s bullpen failed them in the bottom of the tenth, and they gave the game to the Rangers.

The A’s scored first in the top of the second. With the bases loaded, Rangers’ starter Lucas Harrell walked Danny Valencia to force in a run. Harrell had to leave the game after the inning as he suffered a right groin strain. Andrew Triggs started for Oakland, and he pitched very well. Triggs went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just one run and two hits. He threw just seventy-five pitches in the contest. Triggs left with Robinson Chirinos in scoring position. Bob Melvin brought in Ryan Dull to face the very dangerous Carlos Beltran. Beltran greeted him with a single to tie the game. In the seventh, the Rangers scored their second run of the night to take a 2-1 lead. Rougned Odor walked to start the rally. He went to third on a Mitch Moreland single off the glove of Yonder Alonso. Elvis Andrus hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Odor.

The Rangers Alex Claudio pitched four shutout innings in relief of Harrell. Claudio had three speeds- slow, slower and slowest. He confused the A’s hitters with pitches that registered just sixty-five miles an hour on the speed gone. His fastball, when he threw one, came in at 85 mph. The Rangers closer, Sam Dyson, could not get the job done in the ninth. The A’s tied the game at two. Max Muncy singled. The A’s had Tyler Ladendorf pinch run for him. Ladendorf stole second when Coco Crisp struck out and then scored on a single by Danny Valencia. Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth and the game went into extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, the A’s scored twice, and it looked like a win for the Green and Gold. BoMel gave the nod to John Axford to finish the game. Guess what? It did not happen. Axford walked Chirinos, Jonathan Lucroy, and Ian Desmond. That set the stage for Carlos Beltran. Beltran did not disappoint the Ranger fans as he singled to drive in two and tie the game. Melvin replaced Axford with lefty Marc Rzepczynski. Rzepczynski issued an intentional walk to Adrian Beltre to load the bases for the second time in the game. The next batter was Rougned Odor. Odor has been a thorn in the side of the A’s for a couple of seasons and Rzepczynski wanted to be very careful with him. That did not happen as Rzepczynski nailed him with a pitch to force in a run and the Rangers celebrated a walk-off victory. Final score 5-4 for Texas.

Game notes – The Rangers won their thirty-eighth come-from-behind game this season and improved to 71-50 and are in first place in the AL West and have the best record in the American League. The A’s drop to 52-68 and are sixteen games under .500.

Carlos Beltran was the hitting star for the Rangers Tuesday night. The Rangers acquired Beltran from the Yankees at the trade deadline. The thirty-nine-year-old Beltran, who has over 2500 hits and more than 400 homers on his resume, had four hits and three ribbies in the game.

The Rangers and A’s will conclude the three-game series at 5:05 pm Wednesday night at the Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The A’s Sean Manaea will be on the hill, and Yu Darvish will pitch for the Rangers. The Rangers will be going for a sweep.

21,877 watched the Rangers win in extra innings.