Texas Rangers Win Streak Snapped in Shutout at Athletics

The Texas Rangers eight-game win streak is snapped in shutout loss to Oakland Athletics.

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY

The Texas Rangers were shutout and saw their eight-game winning streak snapped as the Oakland Athletics prevented a sweep Wednesday afternoon 2-0.

It's the Rangers (68-47) first loss in August since the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

The Rangers had two runners on with two outs in the ninth but Josh Smith lined out softly to short to end the game.

The Athletics (33-82) have the worst record in the majors. They scored on a sacrifice fly in the third and Zack Gelof's homer in the sixth against Rangers start Jordan Montgomery.

Oakland used five pitchers in a bullpen start. Freddy Tarnok held the Rangers scoreless on two hits and two walks over four innings after Austin Pruitt pitched the first two innings.

Smith led off the third with a double and Marcus Semien walked with one out but they were stranded when Travis Jankowski lined out and Nathaniel Lowe grounded out.

Athletics 2, Rangers 0

Notes from Wednesday's series finale between the Rangers and A's.

Rangers Blanked

The Rangers were shutout for the eighth time and first time since July 29 against the San Diego Padres.

The Rangers were held to four hits, including three singles, two of which came with two outs in the ninth inning. It's the fewest hits for Texas since being held to four on July 21 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jordan Montgomery Makes Second Start

In his second start for the Rangers since being acquired in a trade, left-hander Jordan Montgomery took the loss after allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Reliever Chris Stratton, who came over from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Montgomery trade, threw two scoreless innings behind Montgomery.

Up Next

The Rangers are off Thursday before starting a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at 9:15 p.m. Friday at Oracle Park. Rangers left-hander Jon Gray (7-5, 3.72) is will make the start. The Giants have yet to announce a starting pitcher.

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