Texas Rangers 14, Oakland A’s 4

by PegNews wire

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers closed out their home games with a win Wednesday night, defeating the Oakland A's 14-4 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The win was the second straight for Texas, and improved the club to an astonishing 77-82.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, it will also mark the first time in the last 15 years that the Rangers drew less than 2 million in attendance for the year.

Rangers starter Matt Harrison dominated in his final start of the season, giving up just two runs on six hits over six innings. Harrison, who walked one and struck out seven, finished at 9-3 with a 5.49 ERA, and is one of the few bright spots in the Texas rotation heading into next season.

Several Rangers had excellent days at the plate, especially old hands Hank Blalock and Michael Young. Blalock, who may have played his final game in Arlington, went 2-for-4 with two runs, four RBI and a three-run, two-out home run in the bottom of the fourth that set the pace of the game. Young hit 4-for-4 with a pair of runs, a pair of RBI and a pair of doubles.

Six other Rangers amassed two hits apiece, as the team collectively shelled the A's for 17 hits and five walks. Milton Bradley went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI, and now has the minimum number of plate appearances to qualify for the AL lead in on-base percentage at .439. Josh Hamilton went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI, his first RBIs in 15 games, leaving him at 126 for the season.

Posted by Todd M.