García Makes History as Texas Rangers Pummel Athletics

The Texas Rangers dominated the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night as Adolis García produced one of the best performances of his career.

Kade Kistner | Apr 22, 2023

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The Texas Rangers absolutely dominated the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night 18-3 after losing a closely-contested matchup the night before.

Right fielder Adolis García turned in a career game. In his first three at-bats, he launched three two-run home runs. It was the first time a player has ever hit three home runs in a single game at Globe Life Field.

However, García wasn't done after three home runs. In his fourth at-bat, García drilled a screamer to left-center for an RBI-double scoring two runners and making it 15-2. In his fifth at-bat, added another double. The right fielder went 5-for-5 and recorded eight RBI on the evening.

The Rangers (13-7) sent Andrew Heaney to the mound and he turned in a six-inning, two-run start. Heaney improved to 2-1 after the quality start. It was one of the strongest outings of the season for the lefty and the longest start of his Texas tenure.

Texas relievers Ian Kennedy and Josh Sborz combined for three innings, holding the Athletics to one run.

Texas produced 18 runs on 18 hits. Marcus Semien, Jonah Heim, Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran and Sandy Leon drove in runs.

Perhaps the oddest moment of the night was Josh Sborz getting an at-bat in the eighth inning hitting for Lowe. He faced Athletics utility man Jace Peterson, the third position player the Rangers have faced this season.

It was an encouraging bounce back win for the Rangers after a tough 5-4 loss on Friday evening. It was even more encouraging to see Heaney and the team come back from an 2-0 deficit in the first inning.

The Rangers go for the series win against Oakland on Sunday when they face off in the rubber match at Globe Life Field. Texas ace Jacob deGrom (1-0, 3.48) looks to bounce back after leaving early in his last start with a sore wrist. The Athletics start Kyle Muller (0-1, 7,23 ERA).

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. CT. Texas then heads out for a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds before a four-game set with the New York Yankees.

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Published Apr 22, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies, Cubs and Astros. He is also an editor for Inside the Rangers. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.