Oakland Athletics defeat the Texas Rangers 4-2
By David Miniel
Matt Garza and the Texas Rangers fell to Yoenis Cespedes and the Oakland Athletics today 4-2 in Oakland.
Garza allowed four earned runs on eight hits in the loss today, the loss being his first since joining Texas after being acquired by the Chicago Cubs. Facing a line up that was very foreign to him, he yielded three runs in the first inning and one more in the seventh.
Matt Garza makes his next start against the Houston Astros, led by his former teammate in Tampa Bay and Chicago, Carlos Pena.
Ian Kinsler hit his 10th home run of the season off Jarrod Parker in the top of the fifth inning. He’s currently batting .274/.347/.425 with 46 RBI’s in 84 games this season.
Other Texas Rangers notes, Nelson Cruz exited the game after limping to first base on a ground out in the eighth inning.
Cruz tweaked his quad earlier this week so there is a good chance he re-aggravated the injury running to first base. He is considered day-to-day right now until we hear more information about the injury.
Starting pitcher Jarrod Parker held the Texas Rangers to just 2 runs over six innings of work in the 4-2 victory.
He had a very solid outing against a dangerous Texas Rangers offense. Parker gave up six hits but struck out six batters in return. He will take his 7-6 record, 4.02 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in his next start against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Toronto.