A’s Win Sixth Straight In Series Sweep Of Rangers
Aug 7, 2020, 9:05 AM | Updated: 9:05 am
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Oakland is on a roll heading into the much anticipated showdown with the Houston Astros
After a loss to the lowly Seattle Mariners on July 31st, the Oakland Athletics had struggled to a 3-4 start to begin their 2020 season.
Since then, the Athletics have found their stride.
Mike Fiers tossed six innings of four-run ball, giving the A’s offense enough wiggle-room to pull out a 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday afternoon.
With the series sweep, the A’s pushed its winning streak to six, improving to 9-4 on the season.
Matt Olson hit his fourth home run of the season in the second-inning off of Rangers starter Mike Minor, a solo-shot over the right-field fence. Khris Davis went two-for-three with two RBI in the win.
Liam Hendriks picked up his fourth save of the season, lowering his ERA to 1.42 on the year.
Over the course of the six-game winning streak, the A’s pitching staff has been dominant, posting a 2.54 ERA over 55 innings.
Oakland will be back in action tonight when they face the Houston Astros in the first game of a three-game series at the Coliseum. Be sure to tune in, with first pitch coming at 6:10pm PST right here on Sports 1140 KHTK.
Game 2 (August 5, 2020): A’s 6, Rangers 4
The Oakland offense was able to battle back after a rough start by Sean Manaea, rallying to defeat the Rangers by a final of 6-4 at the Coliseum.
Manaea only lasted 3.1 innings, surrendering four runs on six hits while striking out five batters.
The A’s offense would come alive, led by Matt Olson’s two home-runs and three RBI.
Ramon Laureano and catcher Austin Allen both homered to aid the Athletics offense, handing the game over to the bullpen with a two-run lead.
The bullpen shut down the Texas lineup, delivering 5.2 shutout innings to seal the win.
Game 1 (August 4, 2020): A’s 5, Rangers 1
It was a pitchers duel on Tuesday afternoon, with both teams failing to score a run until the sixth-inning.
Athletics rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo made his first-career start, hurling five shut-out innings while striking out five batters and allowing only two hits.
Rangers starter Lance Lynn was dominant, going 6.1 innings and allowing one run while striking out seven batters.
The Rangers took the lead in the sixth-inning after Todd Frazier’s RBI double, but the A’s would answer with Matt Chapman’s solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to tie things up at 1-1.
Oakland’s bullpen shut down the Texas offense, giving the A’s a chance to walk things off in the bottom of the ninth.
With the bases loaded and one out, Stephen Piscotty came to the plate looking to seal the victory. Piscotty took a first-pitch breaking ball from Rangers reliver Jesse Chavez over the center-field fence for the walk-off grand-slam–Oakland’s second of the season.
The A’s mobbed Piscotty at home plate–in social distancing fashion–as the Athletics pulled out a 5-1 win.
Piscotty, Chapman and Tony Kemp all picked up two hits in the win.
