Rangers rally in 9th to top A's

*Photo from TSN*

   Doesn't matter what team you're playing, the game is not over until it is over. Adolis Garcia drove in the go ahead run, Nathaniel Lowe homered, and the Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics with a 4-1 victory on Thursday night in Oakland.

   Entering the 9th inning tied it a 1-1 deadlock, the Rangers offense erupted for 3 runs in the inning, taking a 4-1 lead and winning by that score. It's the second straight win for the Rangers, who improved to 20-23 this season, thanks to 6 wins in their last 10 games. Oakland has lost 12 of their last 14 games at home.

   Rangers manager Chris Woodward said of the rally late in the game that "We got it done in the ninth. This place is a tough place to score runs but I loved the at-bats that Adolis had. Glad we got it done in the end."

   Getting the Rangers on the board in the second inning was Andy Ibanez, who drew a bases loaded walk to bring in Kole Calhoun and give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. In the 4th, the Athletics were able to tie the game 1-1 when Chad Pinder scored on a wild pitch.

   The game remained tied entering the 9th inning, when the Rangers got back up. Garcia gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead with an RBI double to left field, scoring Eli White. The next batter up was Lowe, who blasted a two run home run to right field, making the lead 4-1 on his 3rd home run of the season.

   Getting the start for the Rangers was Martin Perez, who made his 200th career start. Perez got a no decision, allowing one run on 4 hits, striking out 6 hitters over 7 inning pitched. Matt Bush got the win in relief, firing a scoreless 8th inning out of the bullpen. Joe Barlow got the save in the 9th, his 8th of the season.

   Perez said of his approach on the mound that "I just like to make everything simple in this game. Because I think when you're trying too much, it's hard to get a good result. I just go pitch by pitch, and throw my pitch to try to get the last out and keep the game close."

   For the Athletics, Frankie Montas had a fantastic start, going toe to toe with Perez. Montas allowed one run on 3 hits, striking out 11 hitters over 7 innings. Domingo Acevedo had a scoreless 8th inning, with Lou Trivino getting the loss, giving up two runs over 1/3 of an inning, with Sam Moll having to finish the game.

   Montas said of his stuff on the mound that "I feel like today, I had better stuff than I had that last one with the Angels. When I was pitching against them, just my fastball was really good. Tonight, I had my splitter and my fastball looking pretty good."

   Up next, the Rangers and A's continue their series on Friday night. There, Jon Gray gets the start for the Rangers, while Cole Irvin starts for the A's.