Derek Holland shines as Texas Rangers defeat Oakland Athletics 9-2 – MLB Update
American League East franchise Texas Rangers succeeded to end their losing record by defeating division rivals Oakland Athletics 9-2 in their Cactus League game Wednesday, March 9 at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.
Rangers’ left-handed pitcher Derek Holland helped with four strike-outs in three innings without charging any run.
The win moved the Rangers to a 7-5 position in the table with five out of six home games. Athletics could not maintain their winning momentum set with club’s 6-2 win over San Diego Padres in Phoenix. The team lost their sixth game in spring moving the points
table to 6-6. This was the second and final meeting between the clubs this spring and Oakland has lost the first game in Phoenix last Friday with a 6-3 record.
First baseman Michael Young was the highest run scorer for the Rangers. He hammered two hits and earned two RBIs in three innings. Michael has reached safely via hit or walk in five of his last six games with a .526 OBP overall. Rangers’ sole home-run was
by Mike Napoli to A’s Jerry Blevins, who consumed three runs on four hits. Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Endy Chavez and J. Felix all scored one run each.
Rangers’ pitchers completely outclassed the A’s batters allowing just two runs, both by home runs on each to Darren O’Day and Arthur Rhodes. Holland was the most economical pitcher for the Rangers allowing just one run and striking-out four.
"I need to show that I belong in that rotation," Holland said. "I don't want anything else. I'm trying to get that starting rotation spot. I need to make a couple of statements and today was one."
Oakland’s starter Dallas Braden consumed four hits to name his first strike-out. However, he managed to restrict the batters, giving just one run in last two innings and finished the spell with five runs on six hits striking-out two batters. Brandon McCarthy
pitched in four innings allowing just one run on four hits striking-out one.
Athletics will play their next game against Kansas City Royals on Thursday, March 10. The A’s have scheduled Brett Anderson to face the Royals’ Will Smith. The Rangers will face their league rivals Chicago White Sox on Thursday. C.J. Wilson, Dave Bush, Yoshinori
Tateyama, Mark Lowe are probable pitchers for Thursday’s game.
The Rangers put in a tremendous effort as they managed to restrict the Athletics’ offence from scoring against their pitching line-up. Oakland will be looking to improve their performance and get their offence to support their pitchers with some much needed
runs.
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