Rangers Fall to Athletics in Series Opener

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

August 30, 2024

Athletics 9, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON, Texas. (Aug 30) — The Texas Rangers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Friday, as they lost to the Oakland Athletics, 9–2. A two-homer performance by Brent Rooker lifted the Athletics to the lopsided victory in front of a crowd of 28,111. The Rangers will have a chance to even this three-game set on Saturday evening with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Joey Estes (6–6, 4.37 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Athletics, while the Rangers will counter with lefty Cody Bradford (4–2, 3.31 ERA).

Rooker, Lowe Go Deep for Respective Clubs

The Athletics scored almost immediately on Friday against Rangers righty Jon Gray. After Lawrence Butler grounded to second to lead off the game, Rooker blasted one to left on the first pitch he saw for his 32nd homer of the year. The Rangers tied it at one run apiece off Athletics starter JP Sears in the bottom of the second. Nathaniel Lowe led off the frame with his 11th home run of the season, a solo shot to left-center.

The series opener did not stay tied for long, however. Things happened quickly in the top of the third. Max Schuemann popped out to Lowe in foul territory behind the bag at first. Jacob Wilson followed by drawing a walk. On deck was Butler, who lined out to Leody Taveras in center. Moments later, Gray issued a free pass to Rooker, bringing JJ Bleday to the dish. On a 1–0 fastball from Gray, Bleday stretched the Athletics’ lead to 4–1 with a three-run dinger to right-center. It was his 20th home run of the season.

The score remained 4–1 until the top of the seventh with Dane Dunning on in relief for the Rangers. After Wilson and Butler both flied out, Rooker launched his second homer of the evening. This one went to left-center, and it marked the third multi-homer game for Rooker this season. His last such game came on July 14 against the Philadelphia Phillies, a blowout which the Athletics won, 18–3, at the Oakland Coliseum. Rooker has reached safely in 10 straight contests.

Athletics Add On

The Rangers inched closer in the bottom of the eighth off Athletics reliever Michel Otanez. Pinch-hitting for Robbie Grossman, Travis Jankowski led off with a single to center. A wild pitch by Otanez advanced him to second. Two batters later, Lowe drove in Jankowski with an infield single to first and a throwing error by first baseman Seth Brown.

The Athletics scored four more in the top of the ninth. Dunning opened the frame by plunking Schuemann, who subsequently swiped second for his 12th steal of the season. Schuemann moved to third when Wilson grounded to second. Butler plated him with a double to right. Two batters later, Bleday scored Butler with a sharp double to center. On deck was Shea Langeliers, who hit a two-run homer to center.

What Went Right for the Athletics

The Athletics put four home runs on the board on Friday. Two came from Rooker, one came from Bleday, and the other came from Langeliers. Several of their runs came from RBI base hits as well. It’s always good to have a healthy mix of power and contact. They also gave their pitching staff plenty of run support, which must have boosted their confidence, as they only surrendered two runs on the evening.

What Went Wrong for the Athletics

The Athletics may want to change their game plan for Nathaniel Lowe in the final two games of this series. Lowe was responsible for both of the Rangers’ runs on Friday. This is a game of adjustments, and the Athletics will adjust accordingly, just like Lowe adjusted to their pitching in the opener.

Gray’s Outing

Rangers starter Jon Gray shouldered his sixth loss of the season after allowing four runs, all earned, over 4 2/3 innings. All the damage against him came via the long ball. Gray allowed walks to Wilson and Rooker in the third prior to the Bleday blast, this coming after he walked three right-handed batters in 208 plate appearances this season (1.4% BB rate) entering Friday’s affair. With this loss, Gray’s record for the 2024 season sits at 5–6 with an ERA of 4.47.

Athletics Dip Into Sears Catalog

Athletics starter JP Sears made his team-leading 27th start of the ’24 campaign on Friday. He tossed seven frames of one-run ball en route to his 11th victory. His line on the evening was 5 H, 1 R-ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 97 pitches/61 strikes. Sears has pitched seven innings and change in five of his last six starts, but has never eclipsed eight innings through 70 career starts. Friday marked his 12th start permitting one or fewer runs in 2024. He improves to 6–2 against the AL West and 6–2 in night games this season. His overall record this season sits at 11–9 with an ERA of 4.21.

Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy explained what happened in Gray’s start. “Long ball got him. That third inning when he needed his command, he lost it,” Bochy said. “Was good at times, but was just too erratic with his command tonight.”