Oakland Athletics @ Texas Rangers

[Molina00]

When you're hot, you're hot, and the Rangers are on fire. In last night's series opener against Oakland, Scott Feldman made the start for Texas and pitched 6 scoreless innings holding the A's offense to just 2 hits. The bullpen combined to pitch a scoreless 7th, 8th, and 9th to make this the Rangers 3rd straight shutout, and they have now allowed only 1 run in their last 4 games.

Oakland starter Greg Smith didn't pitch a bad game, he only gave up 2 runs through the first five innings, but the Rangers got him for 2 more runs in the 6th.

Brandon Boggs teed off against Smith going ripping a double and his 2nd homerun of the season in the 2nd inning. He finished the day going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and a triple away from the cycle. Boggs is now batting .385 with 2 homers and 8 RBI in 11 games this season.

Josh Hamilton also pitched in on offense going 2 for 4 with his 11th double of the year and he drove in his 37th run of the season in his 36th game.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Bradley is having a nice night against us so far...he's got a double and a homer, good for all 3 of the Rangers' runs. It's still 3-1 Rangers lead in the top of the fourth.

[Bon Bon]

Texas leads Oakland 6-2. Looks like it is going to be 2 in a row for the Rangers against Oakland.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Yeah they beat us 6-4. Thomas made things interesting in the 9th, but it wasn't enough (for us). Great series so far Texas, but let's see how you fair against *duh duh duh* Rich Harden!

[Bon Bon]

I just hope he can make it through the game.

[Molina00]

Originally Posted by hot_corner_gurl Yeah they beat us 6-4. Thomas made things interesting in the 9th, but it wasn't enough (for us). Great series so far Texas, but let's see how you fair against *duh duh duh* Rich Harden!

Harden who? Hah! Let's see if Oakland can manage a run off the amazing Sidney Ponson.


Another good game for the Ranger pitching staff, barring C.J. Wilson giving up 2 runs in the 9th. Starter Kevin Millwood lasted just 2/3rds of an inning leaving with a groin injury. Reliever Ryan Rupe gave up just one earned run through 3 innings in relief and the rest of the pen combined for 4.1 scoreless innings until Wilson allowed 2 in the 9th.

The offense was almost all top of the order with Kinsler, Young, Hamilton and Bradley combining for 9 hits, 2 doubles, 1 homer, and 5 RBI. German Duran also doubled and scored twice in the 9 spot. Milton Bradley was the big guy for Texas going 2 for 2 with 2 walks, slamming his 5th homerun, and driving in 3 of the Rangers 6 runs.

The Rangers have now won 5 straight game and are just 4 out of 1st place.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Originally Posted by Molina00 Harden who? Hah! Let's see if Oakland can manage a run off the amazing Sidney Ponson.

Never thought I'd say this, but Ponson has actually been very good for you guys this year. Of course, he's no march for Rich Harden.

5 straight wins for you guys now, eh? And only 4 games outta first...man does our offense need to wake up or what! Great series so far though.

[Molina00]

Looks like Oakland caught Ponson on an off day, which is what most of his career has been.

In his worst start of the season so far, he gave up 6 runs on 7 hits and 5 walks through 5.1 innings, but despite that his ERA is still an impressive 3.16. Another consolation is that he still managed to outpitch Rich Harden who gave up 5 runs on 8 hits through 3.2 innings.

Oakland hammered Ponson for 4 runs in the first but he then went on to pitch 5 straight scoreless innings before giving up his final two runs in the 6th. The Rangers on the other hand, scored in every inning that Harden pitched. By the end of the 6th when both starting pitchers were gone, the game was tied at 6. The Rangers bullpen didn't pitch much better than Ponson allowing 6 more runs, but the Oakland pen was solid holding the Rangers scoreless for the final three frames. Oakland went on to win 12-6 and end the Rangers hopes of a series sweep.

Hamilton got his average back over .300 with a 2 for 5 performance and Ian Kinsler ripped 3 hits, scored 2 runs, and raised his average to .306 on the season.

[hot_corner_gurl]

You guys really got to Rich Harden early. His control was definately not there and you guys took advantage of that. And just like the previous series in Oakland, the only game we can win is the getaway game. But great series nonetheless.