Olson's five RBIs pace Athletics to win over Rangers
ByReuters
Published 12/09/2020 at 03:53 GMT
Oakland's Matt Olson racked up five RBIs that included a first-inning grand slam to back the solid pitching of starter Mike Fiers as the visiting Athletics walloped the hapless Texas Rangers 10-6 on Friday in Arlington, Texas, in the first of a four-game series between the American League West rivals.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
The Athletics (28-15) increased their division-leading lead over idle Houston
to seven games, their largest margin since 2013. Oakland has now won three
games in a row and six of its past nine contests after four consecutive
postponements because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the team.
to seven games, their largest margin since 2013. Oakland has now won three
games in a row and six of its past nine contests after four consecutive
postponements because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the team.
The stage was set early on for this blowout when Texas starter Luis Garcia,
who was only scheduled to pitch the opening inning, walked the game's first
three batters before allowing a titanic grand slam to Olson that spotted the
Athletics a 4-0 lead.
who was only scheduled to pitch the opening inning, walked the game's first
three batters before allowing a titanic grand slam to Olson that spotted the
Athletics a 4-0 lead.
After Texas responded with a run in the bottom of the first, Oakland added
three more in the second, including Olson's run-scoring single, and another
tally in the third to push its lead to 8-1.
three more in the second, including Olson's run-scoring single, and another
tally in the third to push its lead to 8-1.
Texas clawed back to 9-4 in the seventh and then 9-6 in the eighth, with the
latter uprising coming on a two-run home run from Rougned Odor.
latter uprising coming on a two-run home run from Rougned Odor.
The loss was the second straight for the Rangers (15-29) and eighth setback in
their past 10 games.
their past 10 games.
Fiers (5-2) left in the seventh after surrendering a leadoff home run to Elvis
Andrus and two walks. He allowed four runs, all earned, on six hits and two
walks in six-plus innings while striking out five after being staked to the
big early lead.
Andrus and two walks. He allowed four runs, all earned, on six hits and two
walks in six-plus innings while striking out five after being staked to the
big early lead.
J.B. Wendelken, T.J. McFarland and Joakim Soria pitched an inning each to
finish up for Oakland.
finish up for Oakland.
Sean Murphy had two hits, including a home run, for the Athletics, while
Olson, Robbie Grossman, Tommy La Stella and Marcus Siemen also had two hits
each for Oakland.
Olson, Robbie Grossman, Tommy La Stella and Marcus Siemen also had two hits
each for Oakland.
Garcia (0-2) did not retire any of the four batters he faced and took the loss
for Texas. Jordan Lyles, the third of four Rangers pitchers, hurled seven
innings in relief, allowing five runs on nine hits in mop-up work.
for Texas. Jordan Lyles, the third of four Rangers pitchers, hurled seven
innings in relief, allowing five runs on nine hits in mop-up work.
--Field Level Media
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