Nathan Eovaldi Keeps Streak Alive, Texas Rangers Blank Athletics

Texas Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi shut out the Oakland Athletics and extended his scoreless-inning streak.

Nathan Eovaldi continues to pile up scoreless innings and the Texas Rangers keep piling up wins.

The American League West-leading Rangers (23-14) moved to a season-high nine games over .500 with Thursday night’s 4-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics in the series opener at Oakland Coliseum.

Texas also improved to 9-4 against the division and 5-2 on the current road trip, which has three more games in Oakland through Sunday.

Eovaldi (5-2) was dominant once again in picking up the win. Coming in with 20 consecutive scoreless innings – 17 over the last two starts – the right-hander ran his streak to 28 2/3 by shutting down the A’s.

The franchise record is 39 straight scoreless innings by Kenny Rogers in 1995.

Eovaldi struck out a career-high 12, including six in a row at one point. Oakland managed just three hits and Eovaldi didn’t walk a batter.

He came within an out of his second complete-game shutout this season. The Athletics got two on with two outs in the ninth and manager Bruce Bochy went to Will Smith, who got the last out on a strikeout. 

Eovaldi has gone at least five innings in all eight starts, with six quality outings, and two complete-game shutouts. His ERA is down to 2.70.

When the opponent can’t score, it doesn’t take much offense to win. The Rangers were kept in check early by Oakland rookie Luis Medina, who didn’t allow a hit until the fourth.

Texas finally got on the board in the fifth on Leody Taveras’ single to score Jonah Heim. Two more runs came across in the sixth, with Marcus Semien blasting a solo shot 403 feet to left-center and Robbie Grossman scoring on a wild pitch.

The Rangers added another run in the seventh off reliever Sam Long, as Heim scored again on a fielder’s choice.

It was as especially good day throughout the Rangers organization, as shortstop Corey Seager had a solid outing in his first rehab start at Double-A Frisco. He went 1-for-3 with a double.  

The series continues Friday with Martín Pérez (4-1, 3.86) going for Texas and Oakland (8-31) countering with Ken Waldichuk (1-2, 7.25). First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. CT.

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