Extra Innings in Oakland – Rangers Lose 5-4

The Texas Rangers played a solid game; they put runs on the board, and had a good starting effort from the pitcher. Ultimately Oakland came through in the bottom of the 10th to get the job done. The Rangers lost 3 of 4 against the A’s and are happy to get out of there.

“The Dutch Oven” Derek Holland got the start for Texas. Holland was very good, going a full seven innings. Holland allowed eight hits and only three runs (only two of which were earned). The left-hander had a good pitch count on the game as well with 103 over his seven innings.

It was the old guys in the bullpen that lost the game for the Rangers. After Holland left the game the Rangers led 4-3. Arthur Rhodes allowed Oakland to tie the game in the eighth; he allowed a homer from Josh Willingham. Cody Eppley pitched a hit less/scoreless ninth. Darren Oliver gave up the walk-off home run on the first pitch of the 10^th to Hideki Matsui.

Not to totally blame the pitching here…in the top of the 10^th the Rangers were able to load the bases with two outs, pinch hitter Yorvit Torrealba struck out to end the inning.

Former Ranger Brandon McCarthy went six innings for the A’s, allowing four runs. None of the runs were earned as a result of errors by McCarthy. After the starter, Oakland brought in five different relievers- each of whom did not allow a run.

It seems that Chris Davis may be coming around as well, in today’s game he went 2 for 4 with a walk and showed good plate discipline. Davis had no strikeouts which is something we need to see from him more often. Adrian Beltre had an off day of sorts playing as the DH and Ian Kinsler had the day off entirely. Nelson Cruz was 0 for 5 today continuing his slump.

It was a game of small ball and Texas held on to the very end. Hopefully the time table for Neftali Feliz’s return is accurate and we can get him back soon, the Oliver/Rhodes duo has not been good in his absence. Tomorrow the Rangers start a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners. The Rangers swept the Mariners in the second series of the season, so hopefully they can get similar results so the boys can get back to winning.

-Jonathan