|
 The first baseman did what does so often against the A's, especially
at the O.co Coliseum, launching a pitch out of the park.
Moreland hit his career-high-tying 23rd home run of the season, and
the Rangers rallied to defeat Oakland 8-6, increasing their lead in
the American League West to two games over the Houston Astros.
The Rangers (81-69) scored three times in the sixth to take a 6-5
lead.
The home run was the 14th of Moreland's career against the A's, the
most he has hit against any team. Moreland has 10 of those homers at
the pitcher-friendly Coliseum, more than at any other road stadium.
Moreland's blast Tuesday was his career-high fifth of the year
against a left-hander.
"That's one of the great things about baseball," Rangers manager
Jeff Banister said. "Some things that you look at, you can't quite
explain.
"Some guys have more confidence and see the ball and have better
matchups against a different set of pitchers, and I just think that
Mitch, for whatever reason, likes swinging the bat in this ballpark.
He sees the ball well. He doesn't miss his pitch."
Left fielder Mike Napoli led off the sixth with an infield single,
and Moreland sent Nolin's 2-1 pitch over the center field fence,
pulling the Rangers even and knocking Nolin out of the game.
Moreland said that "for some reason" he sees the ball well at the
Coliseum.
"I feel comfortable in the box," Moreland said. "Just try to go up
there and put a good swing on it. But, yeah, I feel pretty good
here."
Nolin left a fastball higher than he wanted, and Moreland made him
pay for his mistake.
"I just didn't throw it where I wanted," Nolin said. "It was up. I
was trying to go in, maybe not even for a strike, but it just got
away from me."
Shortstop Elvis Andrus continued the rally with a hard comebacker
off of reliever Drew Pomeranz's foot, reaching safely with an
infield single. Andrus moved to second when A's first baseman Mark
Canha booted Rougned Odor's drag bunt. Catcher Chris Gimenez
advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, and center fielder
Delino DeShields hit a sacrifice fly, giving Texas a 6-5 lead.
Other than Moreland's two-run blast, the Rangers relied on solid
situational hitting and aggressive baserunning. They had four
sacrifice flies and three sacrifice bunts.
"We've been doing that for a little while, now that we started
playing better," Andrus said.
The Rangers added two runs in the eighth. Andrus hit a one-out
double, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Odor's single. Odor
moved to third on Gimenez's ground-rule double and scored on
DeShields' sacrifice fly.
Moreland went 3-for-4 with a walk. DeShields went 1-for-2, scored
twice and drove in two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies. Andrus
had two hits in four at-bats and scored twice. Third baseman Adrian
Beltre had a single and a double and drove in two runs.
[to top of second column] |
Rangers left-hander Martin Perez lasted only four innings and got a
no-decision. He gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits, struck
out three and walked three.
Right-hander Chi Chi Rodriguez (4-5) pitched two scoreless innings
in relief of Perez for the win, and Keone Kela pitched a scoreless
seventh. Jake Diekman and Sam Dyson blanked Oakland in the eighth.
Texas closer Shawn Tolleson gave up a run in the ninth, as Canha hit
a one-out double and third baseman Danny Valencia singled him home
with two outs. However, Tolleson retired designated hitter Billy
Butler on a game-ending ground ball to record his 33rd save.
"It wasn't the best-played game in the world, but again we end up
coming into the ninth inning where we have a chance," A's manager
Bob Melvin said. "At times we had good at-bats. At times we didn't.
At times we made some good defensive plays. Other times we didn't."
Nolin gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings and got a
no-decision. Pomeranz (5-6) took the loss, giving up an unearned run
in his lone inning.
Left fielder Jake Smolinski and shortstop Marcus Semien had RBI
triples for the A's. Canha had two hits, including a double.
NOTES: Oakland LHP Barry Zito will start Saturday against San
Francisco and face RHP Tim Hudson, his former A's teammate. Zito
pitched for the Giants from 2007-13. He will face San Francisco for
the first time since his seven-season stint with the team. ...
Rangers LHP Cole Hamels will pitch Thursday against Oakland instead
of in the opener of a three-game series Friday at Houston. With the
change, Hamels will be able to make three more regular-season
starts, instead of two, if needed. ... Texas RHP Yovani Gallardo
will start Friday against the Astros, with LHP Derek Holland
pitching Saturday and LHP Martin Perez on Sunday. ... A's RHP Chris
Bassitt (sore right shoulder) will return to the rotation Thursday
against Texas, making his first start since Aug. 26. RHP Sonny
Gray's scheduled start was moved back one day to Friday. ... A's C
Josh Phegley (concussion) will not play again this season, manager
Bob Melvin said.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
