George Kottaras shines as Texas Rangers lose to Oakland Athletics 2-3 – MLB Update
Texas Rangers lost to the Oakland Athletics 2-3 in a thrilling encounter at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas in second game of their four match series.
Josh Hamilton provided Rangers with an excellent start as he singled to right in the first inning.
Daric Barton doubled to right in the second and Chris Carter homered to left in the fourth to level the score 2-2 for the Athletics. Catcher George Kottaras hit the tie breaking home-run in the extra inning to leave Texas in disarray.
"To do that and help the team in that manner was huge for me," Kottaras said. "I went up there looking for a fastball and he threw one that I could handle."
"Each and every win has a little bit more magnitude to it, especially against a team that's above you," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "This team's responded like this many, many times this year. It doesn't surprise me."
"Some of those other guys in the bullpen have to come in and get outs," Texas manager Ron Washington said.
Rangers edged their American League West Division rivals in the series opener. With home conditions working in their favour, Ron Washington and his men had an excellent chance to take an impassable 2-0 series lead but that did not turn out to be the case.
Credit should be given to the A’s for handling their nerves brilliantly under pressure. Manager Bob Melvin will be expecting his men to bring more consistency in their results to improve their chances of making it to the playoffs.
Rangers’ starting pitcher Scott Feldman pitched with great control and accuracy as he allowed just four hits and two runs in four solid innings.
Relief pitchers Michael Kirkman, Koji Uehara, Alexi Ogando, Mark Lowe and Tanner Scheppers combined to pitch six sharp innings but the A’s were too hot to handle on Tuesday as they held on to their one run lead to secure a much needed victory.
For Oakland, starter Tommy Milone put up a strong show, conceding just two runs in six effective innings. Evan Scribner grabbed his first win of the season after he pitched the perfect ninth.
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