In Arlington, Texas, on Saturday night, Leody Taveras came through with a game-ending single in the ninth inning, leading the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Taveras’ hit drove in the winning run as the bases were loaded, securing the win for the Rangers.
The decisive moment came when pinch-runner Ezequiel Duran crossed home plate after Taveras grounded a single past the drawn-in infield. Tyler Ferguson of the Athletics, who had struck out the side in the eighth inning, hit Nathaniel Lowe with a pitch to kick off the ninth. A bloop single by Carson Kelly and a walk drawn by Travis Jankowski set the stage for Taveras’ game-winning hit.
Kirby Yates, the Rangers’ All-Star closer, held off the Athletics in the ninth inning to secure the win. The Rangers, who topped the American League in runs per game last year but have struggled recently, have been victorious in their last six one-run games.
The game saw Jonah Heim’s two-run homer in the second inning give the Rangers an early lead, which was later matched by Lawrence Butler’s solo shot for the Athletics in the fourth inning. Both teams’ starting pitchers, Cody Bradford for Texas and Joey Estes for Oakland, turned in strong performances, each allowing two runs without issuing any walks.
In injury updates, the Athletics are monitoring left-hander Scott Alexander’s progress as he deals with rotator cuff tendinitis, while the Rangers are looking to welcome back Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom from injury for the remainder of the season.
Looking ahead, rookie right-hander Mitch Spence is set to start for the Athletics in the series finale, while the Rangers had not announced their starting pitcher for the upcoming game.
