Vogt cranks pair of homers in A's win in Texas
ARLINGTON -- A's catcher Stephen Vogt hit a pair of home runs, driving in four runs in support of battery mate Sonny Gray, who compiled 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 7-1 series-clinching win over the Rangers at Globe Life Park on Sunday afternoon.
Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick also homered, launching a two-run shot to center field in the ninth for his second hit of the day, with his career-high hitting streak extending to 11 games. He's 19-for-38 in that span.
Video: OAK@TEX: Reddick belts a two-run shot to right-center
Gray, who allowed just two hits, lowered his ERA to 1.67 and improved to 6-2 with a 1.70 ERA in eight career starts versus the Rangers, against whom he has a 23-inning scoreless streak. The right-hander walked seven and fanned 10, becoming the first starting pitcher in A's history to do so without allowing a run.
"He finds a way to pitch out of jams," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "That's what he does. He really didn't have a good fastball the whole game. He figures out a way to make the ball move in the direction he wants it to move."
Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo was on the hook for four runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings, offering up seven hits and four walks with one strikeout in the loss.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Vogt of confidence: Vogt, who took a ball to his body in the fourth inning and needed several minutes for a breather, proved he was just fine, hitting a solo home run off Gallardo to lead off the sixth -- and another long ball, this time a three-run shot, against Alex Claudio in the seventh. It was the second multi-homer game of the season for Vogt, who has tallied a team-high six home runs and 20 RBIs.
"He's something else," said Gray. "That's not even a mention of what he does behind the plate, especially on days like today. He was constantly blocking pitches. On days where I don't have as good of command as normal, just what he did behind the plate today was absolutely amazing." More >
Video: OAK@TEX: Vogt shaken up after a deflection, stays in
Rangers can't take advantage:Despite drawing nine walks and being hit by a pitch once, the Rangers were held scoreless until the ninth, by which time the A's already had the game well in hand. They were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position until Prince Fielder's single loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth. Shin-Soo Choo's sacrifice fly to the right-field warning track provided the Rangers' their only run, but the Rangers left 14 men on base.
"We had our opportunities," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "[Gray]'s tough. You look at the body of work that he's put together. He's been in those types of situations before and he knows how to get out of them." More >
Video: OAK@TEX: Choo flies out to right, scoring Martin
Gritty Gray: Gray issued a career-high seven free passes, after not walking more than four in any of his previous 50 career outings, but he also struck out 10 in a gritty performance, stranding nine runners in 6 2/3 scoreless innings while finishing at a career-high 119 pitches -- the last of which Adrian Beltre swung through for strike three. More >
Video: OAK@TEX: Gray fans 10 over 6 2/3 scoreless
QUOTABLE
"He's elite in the AL. He's elite in baseball. When you face guys like that, it's going to be a challenge." -- Banister on Gray, who is now 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA in eight career starts against the Rangers and 4-0 with a 0.29 ERA at Globe Life Park
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Before Sunday's win under the sun, the A's were the only Major League team without a victory in a day game at 0-8. … The Rangers' 14 men left on base were their most in a nine-inning game with one or fewer run scored since stranding as many in an 11-0 loss to the Mets on June 12, 2003.
EJECTION
A's outfielder Craig Gentry was ejected from the bench at the end of the top of the fourth inning by home-plate umpire Andy Fletcher.
"I heard him a little bit," said Melvin. "The next thing I knew he was gone. No profanities."
WHAT'S NEXT
Athletics: The A's continue their 10-game road trip in Minnesota, where they begin a four-game series with the Twins beginning Monday. Right-hander Jesse Hahn, who has a 2.86 ERA in his first four outings, gets the start for the A's. He'll be opposed by Twins right-hander Phil Hughes, with first pitch scheduled for 5:10 p.m. PT at Target Field.
Rangers:Rangers manager Jeff Banister will return to Houston, where he was raised, when his team begins a three-game series at Minute Maid Park on Monday. Ross Detwiler, who is 0-3 with a 8.66 ERA, will start against the Astros, who send MLB ERA leader Dallas Keuchel to the mound.
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