The Rangers got behind quickly in this game. They were down 3-0 in the first inning on the strength of a three run home run by Kevin Kouzmanoff. However, that shot was the only runs the A’s got the whole game. After that, the A’s were kept off the board. In the first, there were only two hits (a double and the HR). After that, the A’s had just five more hits total spread out over 8.1 innings. And all of those were singles. No more extra base hits. So overall, I’d say this was a good pitching performance by the Rangers. The overall line certainly shows that.
Offensively, we got back quickly – in the top of the second, we got two back on a two run home run by Taylor Teagarden. Two more in the top of the third on a two run single by Mitch Moreland. Added another on a Esteban German single in the fifth, and finally our last run came in the ninth on a small ball sequence of events (single, walk, bunt, fielder’s choice).
Arthur Rhodes continues to impress so far this spring. While it’s a rather small sample, I’m far more pleased to see him get off to a start this way than the other way, which usually is followed up by “Well, I was working on some pitches”. Yeah, I know spring is the time for that, but you don’t want to HEAR it. Even in games that don’t count, you’d rather have your guys do well, then resort to spring training “explanations”. :)
We’re now 5-2 in the spring. Great start!