Athletics Blank Rangers in Series Finale

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

May 1, 2025

Athletics 3, Rangers 0

ARLINGTON, Texas (May 1) — The Texas Rangers dropped their series finale to the Athletics, 3–0, on Thursday afternoon. RBI hits by Miguel Andujar and Jacob Wilson made all the difference for the Athletics on Thursday. Hoping to wipe the memories of this set from their minds, the Rangers will host the Seattle Mariners for three starting on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Bryan Woo (3–1, 3.09 ERA) will take the mound for the Mariners, and fellow righty Jack Leiter (2–0, 2.03 ERA) will get the ball for the Rangers.

The Athletics, meanwhile, will continue their road trip with three against the Miami Marlins. That series will also begin on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm Eastern at loanDepot park in Miami. Both teams have yet to announce their starting pitchers for the series opener. However, reports indicate that the Athletics will call up number 14 prospect Gunnar Hoglund and start him Friday for his major league debut.

Early Lead for Athletics

The Athletics got on the board in the top of the first against Rangers righty Tyler Mahle. With two outs in the frame, Tyler Soderstrom reached on a single to left. Brent Rooker followed with a walk. Soderstrom scored moments later thanks to a single up the middle by Andujar.

The Athletics extended their lead to 2–0 in the top of the seventh off reliever Jacob Webb. With one out, Nick Kurtz singled to center. He was lifted for pinch-runner Max Schuemann. On deck was Jhonny Pereda, who drew a free pass, moving Schuemann to second.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy called time to bring in reliever Hoby Milner.

Up next was Wilson, who plated Schuemann with a single up the middle.

They padded their lead in the top of the eighth. Rooker led off with a walk, and Andujar followed with a single to left. JJ Bleday nudged Rooker over to third with a walk of his own. Luis Urias scored Rooker with a sacrifice fly to center.

What Went Right for the Athletics

There are times when offense is hard to come by. Thursday was one of those days for both teams. The Athletics were able to claw their way into the run column with two base hits and a sacrifice fly. On the flip side, their pitching staff was able to hold the Rangers scoreless to make for a nice flight to Miami.

What Went Wrong for the Athletics

This team took care of business both offensively and defensively on Thursday, so it is difficult to find a flaw on their side in this game. The only thing they could have done is pad their lead even more than they did.

Mahle’s First Loss

Rangers starter Tyler Mahle turned in his fourth quality start of 2025 but drew his first loss, yielding a single run in six innings. His line was 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 90 pitches/64 strikes. He labored through a 28-pitch first inning, his most tosses in an opening frame in 2025 and third-most pitches in any inning this season. After allowing an RBI single to Andujar in the first, Mahle retired 13 of the next 14 hitters he faced.

He worked around back-to-back singles to post a scoreless sixth in his final stanza. Through seven starts this year, Mahle is 3–1 with a 1.19 ERA. He is tied with Max Fried of the New York Yankees for the lowest ERA in the AL. Mahle also paces qualified Junior Circuit pitchers in opponent OPS (.465) and opponent SLG (.212) this season.

Spring Loaded

Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs picked up his fourth win of the season after tossing six scoreless frames on Thursday. He is now 4–3 with an ERA of 4.98. His final line was 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 68 pitches/45 strikes. Springs is now tied with JP Sears for the team lead in victories. Thursday marked the second time in Springs’ career to post six or more innings with two or fewer hits, joining his outing on April 2, 2023 against the Detroit Tigers as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

His six innings matched his season high for the fourth time, as he notched his second quality start of ‘25. Springs faced three batters over the minimum and did not permit his first hit of the ballgame until the fourth inning, a single by Wyatt Langford. He entered Thursday having averaged 18.7 pitches per inning, but tossed 11.3 pitches per frame in this one. Springs also earned his first win during a day game this season, improving to 1–3 in such games.

After pitching a spotless ninth with one strikeout, Mason Miller earned his 10th save of the season.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, a baffled Bochy reflected on the Rangers’ lack of offense. “I think [the frustration] has been there, no question,” he said. “This is probably one of our worst games. Not a lot to say, except we just didn’t hit again. Great pitching, but the bats are quiet. I know we keep talking about it, but this was not good today.”