July 23, 2022 - Game 93
W - Domingo Acevedo (3-2)
L - Dennis Santana (3-6)
S- Zach Jackson (2)
HR: None
Time of Game: 3:14
Game Recap
Saturday was the second game of a three-game series between the Rangers and Athletics. Taylor Hearn got the nod as the bulk pitcher with Matt Bush opening the game for the Rangers. It’s an aspect to avoid Taylor facing the hard of a lineup an extra time. The main thing for Texas is they wanted to have Hearn leave it all out, whether it’s three, four, or five innings. The Athletics sent out a familiar foe in James Kaprielian, making another start against the Rangers. "I feel like that was definitely a game that we kind of handed them a little bit in that sixth inning," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said.
The Rangers and Athletics offenses were quiet against Bush/Hearn and Kaprielian. Texas had a golden chance in the first inning, with runners on second and third with one out. However, Adolis García struck out, and Leody Taveras popped out to end the opening inning threat. After that, Oakland didn’t have much of a threat until the fifth inning. The Athletics had two on, none out, and Taylor Hearn got Dermis Garcia to fly out to end Hearn’s night. Then, with one out and runners at first and third, Nick Allen hit into a double play to end the Oakland scoring chance.
In the top of the sixth, the Rangers had the bases loaded and one out. Kole Calhoun was the scheduled hitter, but Chris Woodward opted to pinch hit Charlie Culberson. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay went to his bullpen, and Domingo Acevedo got Culberson to hit into a double play to end the threat. "We talked about [pinch hitting Jonah Heim]," Woodward said when asked about pinch hitting Jonah Heim instead of Charlie Culberson after the Athletics pitching change. "Hindsight is 20/20 and maybe should have right there. With the backup catcher, it is the DH spot, so maybe we could have gotten away with it." The A’s loaded the bases on three walks in the sixth. An error by Nathaniel Lowe and a sacrifice fly produced two runs for Oakland, putting them up 2-0 without a hit in the inning. The Rangers answered with a Marcus Semien doubled with two outs, scoring Ezequiel Duran.
After a single, wild pitch and a Viloria error, Vimael Machin hit a sacrifice fly on a diving catch by Josh Smith. Smith dove to avoid the bullpen and slightly crashed into the wall on the left field foul area. It extended Oakland’s lead back to 3-1. The Rangers again had two on the eighth, but Josh Smith flied out to center field to end the Rangers scoring chance. It was a forgetful ninth inning as Zach Jackson retired Texas in order. The Rangers dropped the second game too Saturday to Oakland. "Offensively we had a couple of opportunities in the first inning. It was the one inning where we have to capitalize there," Woodward said. "We got second and third [with] one out and the meat of our lineup. We have to be able to get on the board there."
Matt Bush’s first inning was a smooth sailing ten-pitch inning. He retired all three hitters and struck out one in his inning. After Bush, Taylor Hearn threw sixty pitches but was efficient. He struck out three, walked one, and allowed three hits. Two of the three hits came in his fourth inning, where he left with one out and runners on the corners. Dennis Santana got a clutch double play to end the fifth. However, Dennis’ command left him in the sixth. He threw twelve balls and four strikes, equating to three walks in the sixth. Matt Moore wiggled out of trouble in the sixth inning. Then gave up a hit and an unearned run in the seventh (run scored on a sacrifice fly). Moore struck out two in his two full innings. Jonathan Hernandez started slow in the eighth on Saturday. He allowed two hits to start the inning, but got out of the jam to prevent any damage.
Postgame Notes
Oppositions are 0 for 4 trying to steal against Meibrys Viloria. Against the other catchers (Mitch Garver, Jonah Heim, and Sam Huff), oppositions are 64 for 73, trying to steal a base.
In five starts for Matt Bush or opener outings, Bush has allowed one run and struck out six.
James Kaprielian entered Saturday’s game with a 5.01 career ERA and a 1.307 career WHIP against Texas (nine starts). He allowed at least two or more runs in each of his nine starts against the Rangers.
The 3.1 innings by Taylor Hearn is the shortest in the three appearances following an opener. Hearn has a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings with eleven strikeouts in the three relief outings.
The three walks by Dennis Santana is the most he’s allowed in an outing while recording less than three outs in his career.
Three of Nathaniel Lowe’s seven errors in 2022 have come in July.
Josh Smith is 1 for his last 23 since July 13th.
Jonathan Hernandez pitched back-to-back days for the first time since September 12th and September 13th, 2020.
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