Oakland Athletics Beat Texas Rangers in Extra Innings

The Texas Rangers had plenty of chances to beat the Oakland Athletics but failed to hold a lead in extra innings.

A three-run home run by Brent Rooker in the bottom of the 10th lifted the Oakland Athletics past the Texas Rangers 9-7 on Friday night. 

Oakland (9-31) was down 7-5 in the 10th after the Rangers (23-15) scored two runs in the top half off RBI singles by pinch-hitter  Adolis García and Marcus Semien. 

But Rangers reliever Brock Burke (2-1) couldn't hold the lead. A passed ball allowed free runner Nick Allen move to third. Esteury Ruiz hit an RBI single to score Allen. JJ Bleday singled to pave the way for Rooker. 

Rooker hit his 11th home run of the season on the 10th pitch of the at-bat. He had two hits for the game. 

The game was tied five different times going into extra innings.

Ruiz was a catalyst all night for Oakland, going 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. One of those hits was a home run, his first as a Major Leaguer, off Rangers starter Martin Pérez.

Rangers outfielder Robbie Grossman gave the Rangers a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth with a solo home run off former Rangers reliever Spencer Patton. Grossman finished the game 2-for-6 with two RBI and a run. The home run was his fourth of the season.

Before that, the game toggled back and forth between either team having the lead or the game being tied, with the Rangers scoring a run in five straight innings.

Jonah Heim and Ezequiel Duran each had two hits for the Rangers. 

Allen also had three hits for the Athletics. 

The two teams combined to use 12 pitchers and they combined to strand 26 runners. 

Oakland reliever Shintaro Fujinami (1-4) got his first win of the season in relief. 

Pérez was sharper than in his previous start in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels, but he fought through five innings, leaving with the game tied at 4-4. He gave up eight hits and walked two, while striking out three. 

Athletics starter Ken Waldichuk dodged enough trouble to keep the game from getting out of hand. He went five innings, giving up seven hits, four runs (three earned) and five walks. He also struck out five. 

The Rangers continue their four-game series with the Athletics on Saturday. Right-hander Jon Gray (2-1, 3.82), who is coming off an eight-strikeouts performance against Seattle, will start for the Rangers. JP Sears (0-3, 5.54) is the expected starter for Oakland. Game time is 3:07 p.m. CT. 

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