ARLINGTON, Texas — The weekend series between the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics started off like any other – fresh off a feel-good win (or three, in this case), the Rangers jumped out of the plane that seemed destined to take them on a ride to the top and plummeted straight back down to where they started.
A demoralizing 9-2 loss awaited them at the chasm at the bottom.
And even though the offense once again was in a dark hole of despair, the Rangers, much like they did in Chicago, found a way to win against one of the worst teams in baseball. Pair that with a shred of good news from at least one of their injured starters – and one might be in danger of getting their hopes up that the Rangers can finish things off strong in 2024.
Game 135: Oakland 9, Texas 2 (W: Sears, 11-9, L: Gray, 5-6)
Game 136: Oakland 2, Texas 3 (W: Yates, 6-2, L: Ferguson, 2-2)
Game 137: Oakland 4, Texas 6 (W: Festa, 3-1, L: Miller, 1-2)
Walk-off wonders
Coming off a series opener in which they only scored two runs in a deflating loss, the Rangers had a momentary flash of hope, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning of Saturday’s game.
Cody Bradford, for his part, gave up just two runs in his start but those two runs unfortunately tied the game where the score remained into the ninth.
The Rangers’ offense went quiet for six innings before Texas loaded the bases against rookie setup man Tyler Ferguson, forcing Oakland to play with the infield in. Embattled center fielder Leody Taveras then played the hero by squeaking a grounder up the middle to give the Rangers a rare 2024 on-field celebration and even the series.
In the finale, Texas once again scored the game’s first two runs early before the bats went quiet for six innings. Continuing to follow suit, the Athletics tied the game late and then scored twice in the tenth inning as the game went to extras. They also brought in Rookie of the Year contender, closer Mason Miller to shut things down.
With two outs, Adolis Garcia singled home ghost runner Marcus Semien, and Wyatt Langford drew a walk, which set up Josh Jung to play the hero.
Jung drilled one the opposite way that just snuck over the fence and just inside the foul pole, giving the Rangers their second walk-off in a row and their second series in a row.
Another Gray day
For a second start in a row, returning starter Jon Gray had a poor showing. In his first start off the injured list with a groin strain, Gray allowed seven runs in two innings to the Cleveland Guardians. After missing out on getting the feast on the White Sox, this time Gray gave up four runs in 4 ⅔ innings to Oakland, including two homers.
At one point during the season’s first half, Gray had been the Rangers’ most consistent pitcher, but with a second trip to the IL for a nagging groin injury, Gray has now been derailed from that pathway.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Gray’s stuff is unaffected, but he’s having issues with command. As Texas moves forward, they must consider Gray’s status and performance as they put their rotation together down the stretch and for the future.
Aces in the hole?
Both Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom are question marks to pitch in the big leagues again this season. Right now, however deGrom, who hasn’t pitched in a big league game since April of last year, is closer to returning than Scherzer is.
Wrapping up his third rehab outing in Round Rock, deGrom is scheduled for one more appearance with Frisco.
Depending on how that start goes, deGrom could rejoin the rotation on the Rangers’ next road trip in Seattle. Scherzer, meanwhile, continues to experience setbacks from nerve issues in his triceps muscle.
The veteran was scratched from his last attempt at a rehab start and has had to resort to bullpen work. He threw nearly 40 innings when he was activated this summer, but had to go back on the injured list with shoulder fatigue. Scherzer believes it’s a mechanical issue, but thinks he could still pitch again this season.
Even though the most recent series victories have been against the White Sox and Athletics, the Rangers can now say they are winners of five of their last six games. As they enter the final calendar month of the season, while 10 games out, Texas has its work cut out for them as they start a series against the Yankees to continue their current homestand.
Do you think the Rangers will ride the momentum of the walk-off wins to a successful homestand? Share your thoughts with Matt on Twitter @FisherWritesMLB.
