MESA, Ariz. -- Max Schrock's RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning capped off a wild A's comeback Saturday, as Oakland topped the Rangers, 8-7.
After the Rangers used a mid-game surge to pull ahead of the A's in the sixth inning, Oakland prospect Renato Nunez smacked a game-tying, two-run homer to left field in the eighth against left-hander Jason Richman.
Rangers outfield candidate Ryan Rua notched a two-run single off A's reliever John Axford in the fifth, and Texas added two more in the sixth against another veteran reliever, Ryan Madson, courtesy of a run-scoring wild pitch and an RBI single by Hanser Alberto.
A's third baseman Ryon Healy enjoyed a 3-for-3 day, collecting a two-run homer, double and a single with three RBIs.Outfielder Khris Davis chipped in with an RBI double and finished with two hits.
"It's not a surprise," A's acting manager Mark Kotsay said of Healy. "He came up last year and did a great job. He takes professional at-bats and continues to do that through the start of Spring Training."
Rangers starter Eddie Gamboa was on the hook for three runs, scattering eight hits with three strikeouts in four innings. The knuckleballer, who was acquired from the Rays just ahead of Spring Training, has an opportunity to claim a rotation job with Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner both expected to begin the regular season on the disabled list.
"Gave up a lot of hits, but I'll take that any day," Gamboa said. "I'll take hits over walks any day. Having them put the ball in play and having them in swing mode as a knuckleballer, that's what I want to do."
A's starter Andrew Triggs, in competition for a rotation spot, allowed two runs (one earned) in 3 1/3 innings. The right-hander yielded four hits, including an RBI single by Drew Robinson, and struck out one.
Rangers Up Next: Veteran first baseman James Loney and third baseman Will Middlebrooks will be in the lineup when the Rangers play the White Sox at Camelback Ranch at 3:05 p.m. CT. They are both in camp on Minor League contracts trying to win a spot on the Rangers bench. The game will be televised on MLB.TV.
Athletics Up Next: The A's will play host to the defending World Series champion Cubs in a 1:05 p.m. PT matchup at Hohokam Stadium on Sunday, with right-hander Raul Alcantara getting the start for Oakland opposite Chicago righty Jacob Arrieta. Veteran A's reliever Santiago Casilla is also expected to make his spring debut in the game. The game will be televised on MLB.TV.
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