The Athletics faced the Texas Rangers in the series opener of this intradivisional three-game series at Sutter Health Park. This evening, the A’s exorcised some home demons, defeating the Rangers 8-3. Starter Gage Jump delivered a solid performance, while infielder Jeff McNeil led the offense with a four-hit night and the bullpen protected a lead—something that has not happened often this season.
Early Action
Jump worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning, although he threw 30 pitches, a total that likely would have been lower if second baseman Donovan Walton had not committed a fielding error that extended the inning.
The A’s went to work immediately against Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker. After Jacob Wilson was hit by a pitch, he advanced to third on Tyler Soderstrom‘s single.
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With two outs and the bases loaded, designated hitter Carlos Cortes cleared the bases with a double into the right-center gap, putting the A’s up 3-0 in the bottom of the first.
Wilson Injured Again
In the bottom of the inning, with McNeil on second following a two-out double, Alika Williams pinch hit for Wilson, who exited with a left hand contusion. The Athletics failed to capitalize on the runners-in scoring-position opportunity, stranding two runners on base.
Jump Around, Jump Around
Jump responded by pitching three straight scoreless innings, maintaining the A’s momentum while keeping the Rangers out of the hit column through four innings. One pitch after Rangers center fielder Evan Carter recorded his team’s first hit of the game, Jump got the next batter to ground into an inning-ending double play, completing five scoreless innings.
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A’s Waste Chance to Add On
Rocker issued two straight walks to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. The Athletics failed to capitalize, as Rocker retired the next three hitters. For the second time tonight, right fielder Lawrence Butler had an unproductive at-bat with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs.
Brand New Game
The Rangers threatened in the sixth, putting two runners on base with one out. First baseman Jake Burger tied the game on Jump’s 101st and final pitch of the night. Burger’s 20th home run of the season, a 428-foot three-run blast to center, made it a 3-3 ballgame.
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Jump pitched well until that final inning. He allowed three runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings, walking four while striking out just one. Unlike in his last start, Jump pitched to contact, accumulating six groundouts and seven flyouts.’
Right-hander Luis Medina, who earned the win, entered from the A’s bullpen and recorded the final two outs of the inning, keeping the game tied.
Have a Game Jeff!
The Rangers likewise turned to their bullpen in the sixth, with right-hander Chase Silseth replacing Rocker. With two outs, McNeil recorded his third hit of the game. His fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to right field against Silseth, put the hosts ahead 4-3. That swing left McNeil only a triple shy of the cycle.
LawDog!
Facing Rangers left-hander Robby Ahlstrom, Butler hit his 10th home run of the season and third in as many games. The two-out, 411-foot solo shot to center field extended the A’s lead to 5-3.
Bullpen Holds Firm
Medina and left-hander Drew Rom combined for a scoreless seventh inning, protecting the Athletics‘ one-run lead. In the top of the eighth, A’s right-hander Elvis Alvarado replaced Rom after the southpaw allowed Ezequiel Duran‘s one-out double. Alvarado escaped the jam as the Rangers stranded two runners on base.
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A’s Get Insurance
Up by two, the Athletics sought more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth against Rangers reliever Tyler Alexander. Pinch-hitter Tommy White led off with a single and then Jonah Heim walked.
Henry Bolte led down a sacrifice bunt that was ruled a fielder’s choice. The Rangers catcher fielded the bunt, but his throw to third baseman Duran was wide, allowing the lead runner, White, to race home with the A’s sixth run of the game.
McNeil followed with his fourth hit and second double of the game, bringing home two more runs to put the A’s up 8-3. He was looking for the triple to complete the cycle, but wisely stopped at second, avoiding a likely out at third. The A’s could have scored more with the bases loaded and one out; however, Butler grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Athletics left-hander Hogan Harris pitched a scoreless ninth to close out his team’s series-opening victory and its first win at home this month.
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The Green and Gold will look to win their second straight game and claim a long-awaited home series victory tomorrow evening. Breakout right-hander J.T. Ginn will start for the A’s, hoping to continue his stellar season. He will be opposed by Rangers left-hander Mackenzie Gore in what should be an enticing pitching matchup.
