Grossman has big day as Rangers top Athletics

*Photo from the Dallas Morning News*

   So far, so good for the Texas Rangers this season. Robbie Grossman homered and drove in 4 runs as the Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics with a 5-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in Arlington.

   The win clinches a weekend series win for the Rangers against an AL West opponent. The Rangers are still tops in the AL West to start the season with a 14-7 record to open the year. It was a big day for Grossman at the plate, who was the only hitter to drive in runs for the Rangers.

   In the second inning, it was Grossman who got the Rangers on the board. With two runners on base, he drove a 3 run home run to left field, clearing the bases to make it a 3-0 lead for the Rangers. In the 4th inning, Grossman pushed the Rangers lead to 4-0 on a sac fly to left center field, scoring Leody Taveras.

   One inning later, in the 5th inning, the Athletics got on the board. It was Shea Langeliers who did the honors, blasting a two run home run to left field, cutting the Athletics deficit to 4-2 after 5 innings. In the 8th inning, with Nathaniel Lowe at the plate, Taveras scored on a wild pitch, pushing the Rangers lead to 5-2.

   Getting the start for the Rangers was Jacob deGrom, who turned in a strong performance to get the win. deGrom allowed two runs on 3 hits, walking no one and striking out 11 hitters. Brock Burke and Jonathan Hernandez combined for two innings, with Will Smith getting the save in the 9th inning.

   deGrom said after his start that "I didn't know how many strikeouts I had in the game, honestly. It's just like I said, it's one pitch at a time, trying to throw it where I want to the best of my ability. I try to minimize the thought process and see the target and try to hit it. The homer was a mistake, so then after that, I was like, ‘Okay, let's refocus and just hit the glove.’ That's what I was trying to do."

   It was Kyle Muller who started for the Athletics, taking the loss with 4 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings pitched. Chad Smith allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings, with Richard Lovelady and Sam Moll delivering scoreless innings.

   Muller said of his start that "Obviously we lost the game, so not the best, but definitely a step in the right direction from my last couple. I need to make a better pitch with guys on base, limit that crooked-number home run. Command wasn’t the greatest, but I got my curveball working and made some pitches toward the end when I needed to."

   Up next, the Rangers travel to face the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, with Nathan Eovaldi getting the start. The Athletics head to play the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, with Ken Waldichuk to get the start.