OAKLAND, Calif. — Corey Seager hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Texas Rangers rallied past the Oakland Athletics 4-2 on Monday night.
The defending World Series champions were trailing 2-0 until Seager drilled a full-count pitch from Lucas Erceg (1-2) over the right-center wall with two outs. Texas added an insurance run in the ninth on an error by first baseman Tyler Nevin.
Erceg threw six straight changeups to Seager, and the last one leaked out over the plate.
“I think (Josh Smith) had a good at-bat, Leody (Taveras) put a good swing on the ball — and I just got fortunate enough to get the worn-down version,” Seager said.
Kirby Yates got three outs for his sixth save.
The A's, who are leaving Oakland at the end of this season for Sacramento while they await a new stadium in Las Vegas, drew a season-low 2,895 fans at the Coliseum.
Texas has won four of five, and tied a season high with its three-game win streak. The A’s have dropped two in a row after winning six straight.
Darell Hernaiz and Esteury Ruiz each had a sacrifice fly for Oakland.
Rangers starter Andrew Heaney allowed two runs in six-plus innings as he dueled with counterpart Alex Wood, who pitched six scoreless innings. Texas was 0-6 in games started by Heaney entering Monday.
“Just try to manage to keep the game close, keep plugging away, give those guys a chance," Heaney said. "It's a good feeling knowing that we've got guys like (Seager) and Marcus (Semien) and the guys that ... can come in in big situations and get those big hits, and obviously win the game for us.”
José Leclerc (3-2) struck out two in a hitless inning for the win.
A's manager Mark Kotsay said his team needed a good outing from Wood, who delivered his first quality start of the season.
“Six innings, two hits, mixing his pitches — just a really well-executed game plan," Kotsay said. “A well-pitched game tonight.”
Rangers skipper Bruce Bochy, who spent 13 seasons managing the San Francisco Giants and won three World Series titles with them, reminisced about his time in the Bay Area before the game. He also caught up with Kotsay, who played for Bochy in San Diego.
“It’s always good to get back in the Bay,” Bochy said. “I love the Bay. It just feels good, the air.”
Bochy is sad the A’s will be departing Oakland, describing “good battles” as part of the Bay Bridge rivalry series with the Giants.
“We came in here just like they came in our place, trying to do all you can to be wearing the horns in the Bay Area,” Bochy said. “But it will be sad that it’s going to be over. Probably. I can’t say definitely.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: Rookie OF Wyatt Langford (hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list. … RHP Nathan Eovaldi (groin) does not have a sports hernia and isn’t expected to need a minor league rehab assignment before coming off the 15-day injured list.
Athletics: OF Esteury Ruiz was back in the lineup and playing through a sprained wrist sustained Saturday. He underwent an MRI. … RHP Joe Boyle (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list after being lifted from Sunday’s start. He will be held back from baseball activity for a while. … RHP Luis Medina (knee) and LHP Sean Newcomb (knee) will both face hitters in Arizona this week.
UP NEXT
RHP Ross Stripling (1-5, 4.24 ERA) pitches Tuesday for Oakland against Rangers RHP José Ureña (0-2, 4.35).
