August 17, 2022 - Game 117
W - Adam Oller (2-5)
L - Cole Ragans (0-2)
S- None
HR: OAK: Murphy 2 (16), Langeliers (1)
Time of Game: 3:00
Game Recap
It was another news-packed day for the Texas Rangers. The club announced that the President of Operations, Jon Daniels, was relieved of his duties this afternoon. Entering Wednesday, the Rangers made a few more roster moves. Texas activated Joe Barlow while designating Garrett Richards for assignment. Meanwhile, Texas and Oakland continued a four-game series Wednesday with Cole Ragans making his third MLB start. Ragans came off a start where the command was a slight issue. Against Houston, Cole allowed five runs and walked three with two home runs. The Rangers' offense stood up against rookie Adam Oller coming off a start in Houston, too, where he allowed two runs in 4.2 innings. The Rangers' second look at Oller, who allowed five runs in five innings in Oakland on April 22nd. "We know we got a game to play, that's why today we didn't want to disrupt any routines [and] we came in prepared to play a game tonight," Tony Beasley said when asked about the happenings today effected tonight's play.
Oakland immediately took the ship on a solo home run by catcher Sean Murphy. Murphy drove the ball right over left field and gave the Athletics a 1-0 lead. The Rangers then answered in the bottom of the first inning on Adolis García's double to left, scoring Corey Seager. In the second, the Rangers had an opportunity with runners on second and third and two outs. However, Marcus Semien struck out against Oller to end a scoring chance. Sean Murphy struck again in the fourth inning with a two-run home run to the Rangers bullpen, extending the Athletics' lead to 3-1. In the sixth, Joe Barlow hit Jonah Bride with a pitch, walked Seth Brown, and allowed a base hit to Sheldon Neuse. However, he got Shea Langeliers to strike out with the bases loaded to prevent Oakland from padding the lead.
The Rangers drew two walks in the seventh with one out. However, Bubba Thompson struck out, and Marcus Semien flew out. Chad Pinder singled up the middle inning, scoring Murphy in the eighth inning. Then Langeliers went deep for his first MLB home run to right center, extending Oakland's lead to 7-1. In the ninth inning, the Rangers got two on with walks. In his Rangers debut, Mathias doubled home Meibrys Viloria cutting the Oakland lead to 7-2. With second and third and none out, the Rangers popped out twice and grounded out to end the game. "I don't want to make any excuses about it. We have to expect to win, compete, and do what's necessary to win. I feel that baseball is filled with moments like that. The game is going to present with moments and we have to recognize those moments. Moments where it can get out of whack and moments when you can turn a game into our favor," Beasley said.
Cole Ragan's outing Wednesday was a mixed bag. He threw five innings and allowed four hits, three runs, a walk, and three strikeouts. The bad news was that two hits and three runs came by the bat of Sean Murphy, who homered twice. But, outside of Murphy, Ragans was effective. "I felt like it was a big step in the right direction," Cole said. "Got ahead of guys that's when I've been harping on, getting ahead, and let everything else play. I felt like I did."
Joe Barlow entered an MLB game for the first time since July 12th against the A's. Barlow allowed three straight baserunners after recording two outs. Then his lone strikeout cleared his line of any blemishes. John King threw a scoreless seventh but allowed two hits and two runs in the eighth. Josh Sborz entered in the eighth inning and allowed a three-run home run, single, and a walk. Sborz struck out two in the ninth inning and threw a clean final inning.
Postgame Notes
Rangers have dropped six of their last ten overall against Oakland. They started the season 5-1 vs. the Athletics.
Adolis García extended his hit streak to fourteen games. It's the longest active hit streak in Major League Baseball and the longest by a Texas Rangers player this season.
All eight of Cole Ragan's runs allowed have come by the home run (four homers allowed).
Leody Taveras has hit safely in five of his last six starts. Taveras is 8 for his last 19 (.421) with a double, two triples, and three walks.
Mark Mathias picked up his first Rangers hit in his first Rangers AB, a double in the ninth. Despite going 1 for 10 in June with the Brewers, Mathais had 4 RBI in the month with a home run.
Oppositions have scored first in eight straight games against the Rangers. Texas is 4-4 in these games.
On Wednesday, Adam Oller picked up his first career quality start (6 IP, 3 or fewer ER). Oller threw six innings and allowed one run. Oller had gone six or more innings once this season and allowed three or fewer runs in a start twice.
Nathaniel Lowe's on-base streak snapped Wednesday at twenty-two games.
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