A's Canha, Ladendorf break into bigs with style

OAKLAND -- A's rookies Mark Canha and Tyler Ladendorf combined for four hits, six RBIs and eight total bases in their big league debuts on Wednesday, helping their club to a 10-0 victory over the Rangers in memorable fashion.

The A's are the first team to have two players with at least two RBIs in their Major League debuts in the same game since the RBI was made official in 1920, according to Elias.

"Me and Mark got done throwing today," said Ladendorf, "and were just like, 'Let's go!' The table was set, and we wanted to rise up for the occasion."

Video: TEX@OAK: Canha logs fourth RBI with a booming double

Except Canha's night didn't start as planned. The first baseman, who grew up in nearby San Jose and played at UC Berkeley with A's shortstop Marcus Semien, not so gracefully fell down when attempting to field a leadoff bunt off the bat of Leonys Martin that resulted in a single.

He rebounded just fine, driving a ball off the top of the right-center-field wall for a three-run double in his second at-bat of the night. Canha stood on second, wondering if, just maybe, he had hit a grand slam. A crew chief review, though, confirmed it was an inch too short.

Video: TEX@OAK: Canha clears the bases with a double

"From the angle that I was running it looked like it might have hit off the wall then hit off one of those beams that's in the background there," said Canha, who also singled in the fifth and doubled again in the sixth. "I really wanted the first one to be a grand slam. I thought that would have been cool. Just missed it."

Ladendorf notched a run-scoring triple in the same inning, and he would collect another RBI in the fifth.

"I hit it," he said, "and there was that immediate feeling of 'No way!' I hit it and kind of knew it would be in the gap. The energy's flowing, and it's just hard to control your emotions at that time.

"It's everything you thought it would be as a little kid. It's unbelievable. It's hard to put into words right now. I'm glad we got a win more than anything. I waited a long time for this day, and just to be able to contribute is great, and it's fun to be around these guys."

Video: TEX@OAK: Ladendorf rips RBI triple for first MLB hit

"Both of those guys, to be able to make an impact that quick and get that first one out of the way," said starter Scott Kazmir, "that's huge."

The A's got everyone involved on this night, including newcomer Cody Ross, who went 1-for-5 with two RBIs, and Josh Phegley, who recorded his first hit as an Athletic in the fifth with a single.

"For so many new guys coming together as a team and a group in the clubhouse, it's one thing in Spring Training and another during the season," said A's manager Bob Melvin, "and getting everyone involved in the first three games and basically getting all the guys some hits allows you to come together that much quicker."

RETWEET to congratulate @outtadapakmark and Tyler Ladendorf on their terrific Major League debuts. #GreenCollar pic.twitter.com/rWck0LOmUv

- Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) April 9, 2015