Rangers at Athletics
The Oakland Athletics attempt to hand the Texas Rangers a fourth straight loss when they host their American League West rivals on Tuesday in the second contest of their four-game series. Oakland ended a three-game skid of its own on Monday as Jed Lowrie delivered a two-run double in the seventh inning to snap a tie and lead the club to a 3-1 victory.
Matt Chapman provided the other run for the Athletics, going deep in his second consecutive game to help the team post its first win since Opening Day. Matt Joyce likely will be rested Tuesday after serving as the designated hitter due to left ankle soreness. Texas was unable to record an extra-base hit in the series opener, collecting seven singles en route to its third defeat in a row. Shin-Soo Choo recorded two of them for the Rangers as he registered his second multi-hit performance in three contests.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (0-1, 4.76 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (0-0, 9.00)
Hamels took the loss on Opening Day, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings against Houston. The 34-year-old native of San Diego served up a pair of homers but did record seven strikeouts, which was one shy of his season high in 2017. Hamels has made seven career starts against Oakland, going 2-3 with a 4.39 ERA.
Graveman escaped with a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels in the season opener after surrendering five runs and seven hits - three homers - in five-plus innings. The 27-year-old from Alabama did not issue a walk but struck out only one batter. Graveman has posted a 4-2 record and 4.11 ERA in eight career starts against the Rangers.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers optioned Nick Gardewine to Triple-A Round Rock, placed Rocky Rodriguez (biceps) on the 60-day disabled list and purchased the contract of fellow RHP Bartolo Colon, who started and pitched well in the series opener.
2. Athletics C Jonathan Lucroy is 6-for-15 with a homer and three RBIs against Hamels in his career while OF Khris Davis has belted three shots and driven in five runs versus the southpaw.
3. Texas OF Delino DeShields underwent surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand Monday and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.