Skid Continues: Texas Rangers Lose to Last-Place Athletics

The Texas Rangers had plenty of chances to take advantage of the Oakland Athletics but couldn't cash in in their series opener.

The agony of defeat continues for the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers lost to the last-place Oakland Athletics, 6-3, on Friday at Globe Life Field.

Texas has lost four consecutive games, seven of their past eight, and 16 of their past 20 games.

The Rangers (76-64) were trying to bounce back from being swept by the Houston Astros earlier this week. The Athletics (44-97) are playing out the string of a losing season. 

No Rangers starting pitcher has won a game in the past 20 starts, a franchise record.

The game also marked the MLB debut of the team's top prospect, outfielder Evan Carter, who joined the team to start in right field in place of injured outfielder Adolis García, who was placed on the injured list on Friday.

The Rangers also moved utility man Brad Miller to the 60-day injured list due to a hamstring injury, a move that ended his season. 

Jordan Montgomery (9-11) took the loss for the Rangers while Athletics reliever Devin Sweet (1-0) took the victory. Trevor May got his 19th save.

The Rangers and the Athletics continue their series at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at Globe Life Field. 

Athletics 6, Rangers 3

Here are the highlights from the Rangers' game with the Athletics on Friday night.

Missed Opportunities on Offense

The Texas Rangers had plenty of opportunities to blow the game up on Friday night, but they couldn't cash in. The Rangers stranded 10 base runners in the first four innings of the game, including three bases-loaded situations. The last time the Rangers stranded at least that many baserunners in that few innings to start a game was 2018. 

So there was plenty of offense, but not enough to win the game. Corey Seager homered in the first inning, a two-run shot off Athletics starter Paul Blackburn. Nathaniel Lowe singled home Marcus Semien in the fourth inning, which briefly gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead. 

Evan Carter singled in his first Major League at-bat, which came in the second inning. 

Pitching Can't Get It Done

The Rangers needed a quality start from left-hander Jordan Montgomery and they nearly got one. He gave up a run in each of the first two innings, and then started cruising through the Athletics' lineup until he gave up a solo home run to Esteury Ruiz in the fifth and a two-run home run to Shea Langeliers in the sixth, putting the A's up 5-2. 

Montgomery left after the Langeliers home run and was visibly frustrated in the dugout. He threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits and a walk. He also struck out five. 

Jose Leclerc came in and ended the sixth, but gave up a run in the seventh. Ian Kennedy and Brock Burke ended the game in relief. 

Next Up

The Rangers announced before Friday's game that they would move up Nathan Eovaldi (11-4, 2.95) to start Saturday's game. Eovaldi started against the Astros on Tuesday, but only pitched 1 1/3 innings and threw fewer than 40 pitches. He'll throw on three days' rest. The Athletics have not announced their starting pitcher for Saturday. 

First pitch is 6:05 p.m.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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