Adrian Beltre’s three-run homer helps Texas Rangers defeat Oakland Athletics 7-2 – MLB Update
Adrian Beltre was the hero on Tuesday, September 20, as the Texas Rangers pulled off a dominating 7-2 win over the struggling Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum.
Beltre smashed a hard three-run homer in the first inning against A’s starter, Rich Harden to put his team on top.
There were other important achievements made in the game as Michael Young smashed his 200th hit of the season. Derek Holland availed his 15th starting win of the season when he got the necessary cover from his hitters to dominate Oakland’s
offence.
Harden walked out of the game with his fourth loss of the season. He conceded six runs off seven hits in three innings, as his earned runs average has climbed to 5.17.
That was not the case with Texas starter, Holland, who managed to walk away with his 15th win with just one run allowed on two hits. He took out seven hitters and lowered his earned runs average to a modest 3.92.
Rangers kicked off the top of the first with a three run homer. Josh Hamilton and Michael Young singled their way on to the first two bases. Adrian Beltre then walked in to slam Harden to centre- field for a stunning home-run. His hit got the tempo moving
for the Rangers as the club immediately went 3-0 up.
The misery continued for the A’s in the top of the second when Elvis Andrus was walked on a hit pitch in a bases loaded situation. Ian Kinsler walked home from third base, following the hit. The Rangers were gifted with the fourth and they climbed to 4-0.
The A’s were on the defensive and the Rangers were not tiring from their pursuit for more runs. Hamilton scored the fifth run in the top of the third when a grounder from Young forced right-fielder, Michael Taylor to commit a throwing error. His lack of
confidence allowed Hamilton to run home from second base.
At 5-0 up, the Rangers extended their lead to six runs when Mike Napoli blasted an RBI single to centre-field. Young scored easily from the play. The Oakland line-up was weak against Holland but Michael Taylor still fought back as he slammed a solo homer
in the bottom of the fifth. He made up for his past error but it made little difference as the Rangers scored another run in the top of the eighth.
Ian Kinsler scored the seventh run on an RBI single from Young. The Rangers were now 7-1. The A’s struggled in their counter-attack and Coco Crisp was the only man to get a run after the eighth as he slammed a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth against
Texas’ reliever Michael Kirkman.
The Rangers won the game 7-2 and put the series in their favour. The club is looking to qualify for the playoffs, as they need four more wins before they can go through.
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