Ezequiel Duran Stars as Texas Rangers, Athletics Tie

The Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics met in prime time Thursday in Spring Training.

The Texas Rangers tied the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. Here’s a breakdown of the games.

Rangers 7, Athletics 7

Records: Oakland (10-13-1), Rangers (12-13-2). change

Winning pitcher: None

Losing pitcher: None

Rangers at the plate: First baseman Nathaniel Lowe drove in second baseman Marcus Semien on a ground out to first base. That moved shortstop Corey Seager to second base and left fielder Robbie Grossman singled Seager home to make it 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Mitch Garver added a run in the second on a solo home run.

After the Athletics tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the fifth, the Ezequiel Duran hit his first spring home run, a two-run shot, in the sixth for 5-3 lead.

The Duranimal does damage. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/UjtJoGYlhW

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) March 24, 2023

In the eighth of a 5-5 game, both Brad Miller and Duran hit solo homers for 7-5 edge.

Seager extended his hit streak to 14 games, matching the streak Elvis Andrus put together in 2013.

Rangers on the mound: The Rangers anticipated starting Cole Ragans, but instead started Zack Littell. As it turned out, it became a bullpen game. Littell, Dominic Leone, Ian Kennedy and John King each threw a scoreless inning. Then the Rangers brought in Ragans in relief, which may end up being his role in the regular season.

He didn’t get out of that inning, as he gave up a hit, three runs and two walks while striking out one in retiring just two hitters. Triston Polley got the final out of the fifth.

Ragans then re-entered the game threw two scoreless innings but gave up two runs in the eighth inning. Ragans threw 3 2/3 innings, giving up five hits, five runs (four earned) and three walks while striking out four.

Reyes Moronta entered in the ninth to try and save the game, but gave up two runs.

On Friday: The Rangers travel to Mesa to take on the Chicago Cubs at 3:05 p.m. CT.

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