Rangers at Athletics
The suddenly surging Texas Rangers can tighten up the American League West race even further when they open a three-game series against the host Oakland Athletics on Friday. The Rangers have won four consecutive games after a dismal stretch and have moved within 3 1/2 games of Oakland, which has lost its last two games. Texas is 6-4 against the Athletics this season and won two of three when the teams met in Oakland from May 13-15.
Oakland won seven of nine games before losing the final two contests of a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. Texas lost 12 of 15 games before sweeping the Los Angeles Angels and then recording a 7-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. The Rangers are beginning a 10-game road trip while the Athletics are playing the final three contests of a 10-game homestand.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, KTXA (Texas), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (4-3, 3.05 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Tommy Milone (9-8, 4.10)
Ogando lost to the Cleveland Indians in his last outing when he gave up one run and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. He defeated Oakland on May 15 when he gave up two runs and four hits in six innings. Ogando is 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA in nine road starts.
Milone is 0-3 with a 4.24 ERA in four career starts against Texas after being roughed up for six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings on June 19. He was superb against the Los Angeles Angels in his last outing when he gave up one run and four hits in seven innings. Milone is 5-3 with a 2.97 ERA in nine home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers OF Nelson Cruz (quadriceps) left Thursday’s game and he also faces a possible suspension for his association with the Biogenesis clinic that was allegedly distributing performance-enhancing drugs to players.
2. Oakland OF Yoenis Cespedes is batting .158 with two homers in 10 games against the Rangers this season.
3. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is 5-for-12 with two homers against Milone.