A three-homer day by catcher Shea Langeliers led the way for the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Against the reigning World Series Champions, the Green & Gold squeaked out a 4-3 win for their third straight victory.
Talk about putting the team on your back. Oakland only recorded five hits on the evening, and Langeliers had three of them. The most important one was in the ninth inning when he cranked a two-run home run to put the Rangers away.
In terms of the pitching, starter Alex Wood only went four innings as he allowed five hits and two earned runs while striking out just two. Mitch Spence came in for a long relief appearance of sorts, going three innings and allowing a run of his own.
After that, Michael Kelly (1-0) and Mason Miller (first career save) shut the Rangers offense down the rest of the night.
As for the Rangers, Nathan Eovaldi went 5 2/3 innings and struck out eight batters of his own. In the end, his efforts didn’t matter much. The bullpen couldn’t hold the lead and closer Jose Leclerc blew his first save of the season.
The scoring got started thanks to a single by Josh Smith that brought Marcus Semien home in the first inning. But, the first of three home runs by Langeliers came in the top of the second inning. Texas would respond with a solo home run from catcher Jonah Heim at the bottom of the second. Things were stagnant by both teams until Langeliers homered again in the seventh to tie things up.
After Evan Carter homered in the bottom of the seventh, it was a question as to if the A’s would stage a comeback of any kind. Langeliers took responsibility and kissed Texas’s dream of winning the first game of the series away.
Shea strikes again ? pic.twitter.com/CDIQgZGJow
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 10, 2024
Up Next
With the A’s standing at 4-7 now, they look to keep the winning streak going. They’ll send Ross Stripling (0-2, 3.75) to the mound. As for the Rangers, Cody Bradford takes the bump (2-0, 0.47 ERA). He looks to continue an impressive start to the season.
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Featured Image: Oakland A’s Twitter
