The Rangers are on a three game win streak

The Texas Rangers had been producing runs at the very start of this road trip in Seattle. Going into Saturday, the past 3 games have been a positive showing by the Rangers on producing 20 runs in 3 games and more importantly 2 wins out of those 3 games. The Rangers starting pitcher, Martin Perez, has started the season allowing 14 hits, 7 runs in 14 innings pitched. The starting rotation has been questionable on consistency so far this year, but Perez’s numbers are decent enough to believe he can be a reliable arm heading into the second month of the season.

Saturday featured a pitching duel in Oakland, California. A’s pitcher Frankie Montas recorded a total of 8 strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Heading into the Top of the 8th, both Rangers and Athletics combined for 0 runs. Rangers’ Adolis Garcia started the top of the 8th inning by singling to center field, then Willie Calhoun got on base with a single of his own and advanced Garcia to third base. A’s had seen enough of Montas, and went to their bullpen bringing in Domingo Acevedo. Top of the 8th inning, 2 men on base, and 2 outs, Acevedo threw an 87 MPH slider that was belted to left field for a single by Brad Miller to score Garcia and pinch-runner Eli White. Rangers took the lead and turned to their bullpen. A combined 3 innings, 1 hit and 0 runs allowed to support starter Martin Perez blanked the Athletics to set up a possible sweep in Oakland for the first time this season for the Texas Rangers. Brock Burke has become a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Rangers. He has pitched 7.2 innings this season with only 2 runs allowed on 6 hits. Rangers’ left fielder, Brad Miller, did go 1 for 4, but the only hit for him turned out to be the difference in the win as he batted in 2 (2 RBIs).

Texas Rangers look to sweep the Athletics on Sunday, and push their winning streak to 4. They will send right-handed pitcher Garrett Richards to start vs. Athletics’ Cole Irvin. Final Score for the game was Texas Rangers 2, Oakland Athletics 0. Winning pitcher for the Rangers: Brock Burke (2-0), Losing Pitcher for Athletics: Frankie Montas (2-2), Save (TEX): Matt Bush.