The second game of the three-game series between the Athletics and division rival Texas Rangers took place tonight at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Mason Barnett made his major league debut against veteran righty Merrill Kelly.
The Rangers got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning by singles from Adolis Garcia, Josh Jung and Kyle Higashioka. Michael Helman doubled to center fielder Lawrence Butler scoring Jung and Higashioka. This gave the Rangers an early 3-0 lead.
In the
top of the third, Wyatt Langford singled and Josh Jung doubled to drive him in. that gave the Rangers a 4-0 lead. But it didn’t last long as Lawrence Butler hit his 18th homer.
Almost immediately after, Brent Rooker pounded number 27 to cut the Rangers lead in half to 4-2.
Wyatt Langford, who led off the top of the fifth ended Barnett’s debut. After homering to left, Mark Kotsay pulled him. His final line was four innings, five earned runs on eight hits and no walks. Hogan Harris replaced him.
Tyler Ferguson replaced Hogan Harris to start the sixth inning. He held them scoreless. In the top of the seventh, Sean Newcomb replaced Ferguson. Joc Pederson greeted him with a leadoff double. Then with two outs Josh Jung doubled to drive in Pederson. Then Kyle Higashioka singled to drive in Jung. Osvaldo Bido replaced Sean Newcomb. Ezequiel Duran struck out looking to end the inning. But not before Texas extended their lead to 7-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, Carlos Cortes doubled down the line to drive in JJ Bleday. That hit ended Kelly’s night.
In the top of the ninth, Aroldis Garcia singled and Dylan Moore homered off Bido to make the score 9-3. Colby Thomas pinch hit for JJ Bleday and promptly singled to center. But the next three in line could not move him even to second. There’s one more game in this series tomorrow. See you then A’s fans.
