Corey Seager swung for a three-run homer in the eighth inning, boosting the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 comeback victory over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.
The reigning World Series champions found themselves trailing 2-0 until Seager smashed a full-count pitch from Lucas Erceg over the right-center wall with two outs. Texas secured an additional run in the ninth due to an error by first baseman Tyler Nevin.
Erceg relied on six consecutive changeups against Seager, with the last one drifting over the plate. “I think (Josh Smith) had a good at-bat, Leody (Taveras) put a good swing on the ball — and I just got fortunate enough to get the worn-down version,” Seager explained.
Kirby Yates clinched three outs for his sixth save. The A’s, set to depart Oakland after this season for Sacramento while awaiting a new stadium in Las Vegas, attracted their lowest attendance of the season with just 2,895 fans at the Coliseum.
Texas has triumphed in four of their last five games, matching their season high with a three-game win streak. Meanwhile, the A’s have lost two consecutive games following a six-game winning streak. Darell Hernaiz and Esteury Ruiz each contributed a sacrifice fly for Oakland.
Rangers starter Andrew Heaney held the A’s to two runs over six-plus innings as he engaged in a pitching duel with counterpart Alex Wood, who delivered six scoreless innings. Texas had been winless in the six games started by Heaney prior to Monday.
“Just try to keep the game close, keep working hard, and give our team a chance,” Heaney remarked. “It’s reassuring knowing we have players like (Seager) and Marcus (Semien) who can step up in big moments, get those crucial hits, and help us win.”
José Leclerc (3-2) secured the win with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay highlighted the importance of Wood’s performance, calling it his first quality start of the season. “Six innings, two hits, mixing his pitches — just a really well-executed game plan,” Kotsay praised. “A well-pitched game tonight.”
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, known for his successful tenure with the San Francisco Giants, reminisced about his time in the Bay Area before the game. He also caught up with Kotsay, who played under Bochy in San Diego. “It’s always nice to be back in the Bay,” Bochy shared. “I love the Bay. It just feels good, the air.”
