Kazmir fans 10, A's rookies shine in victory over Rangers
OAKLAND -- A's first baseman Mark Canha drove in four runs in his big league debut, and left-hander Scott Kazmir shut down the Rangers with 10 strikeouts over seven one-hit innings as Oakland cruised to a 10-0 victory on Wednesday.
Canha went 3-for-5 with two doubles to celebrate his first Major League game, and second baseman Tyler Ladendorf, also making his debut, added a run-scoring triple. He collected another RBI in the fifth on a fielder's-choice ground ball for the A's, who sent 35 men to the plate in the first six innings.
"That's a great way to start when you're getting in your first big league game and you're able to do that," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "Really allows you to relax a bit and feel like you belong."
Rangers left-hander Ross Detwiler lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Kazmir, meanwhile, was lights out, allowing a leadoff infield single to Leonys Martin but nothing more, aside from a pair of walks. It was his 23rd career 10-strikeout game.
The A's have now taken two of three and outscored Texas, 19-3, in the season-opening series at the O.co Coliseum.
Video: TEX@OAK: Canha logs fourth RBI with a booming double
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Bold beginnings: Canha and Ladendorf both delivered in a five-run third inning against Detwiler, combining for four RBIs in the frame. Ladendorf's first big league hit came in the form of an RBI triple, and Canha barely missed a grand slam but settled for a three-run double for his. New A's outfielder Cody Ross, who joined the club just hours before first pitch, chipped in a run-scoring single and finished with two RBIs.
"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. "I really wanted the first one to be a grand slam. I thought that would have been cool. Just missed it. We won the game, and I'll take that." More >
Video: TEX@OAK: Athletics score five runs in the 3rd inning
Andrus' bunt goes for naught: Martin led off the Rangers' first by beating out a bunt hit. Elvis Andrus tried the same thing and wasn't quite as successful. He was thrown out by catcher Josh Phegley. Andrus did move Martin into scoring position, but Kazmir got Adrian Beltre on a grounder before striking out Prince Fielder.
Major League debuts: The blowout allowed Rangers manager Jeff Banister to let long reliever Logan Verrett and fifth outfielder Delino DeShields make their Major League debuts. Verrett allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings in his first game as the Rangers' much-needed long reliever. DeShields entered the game in the seventh on defense and got his first Major League at-bat in the eighth and beat out an infield hit.
Video: TEX@OAK: DeShields tallies first big league hit
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
• According to Elias, the A's are the first team with two players recording at least two RBIs in their Major League debut in the same game since the RBI was made official in 1920.
• Andrus has committed four errors in three games. That's a first for him in his career. This is also the first time he has committed an error in three straight games in three consecutive days. Wednesday marked only the eighth time in his career he has committed two errors in a game. More >
QUOTABLE
• "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." -- Ladendorf, on his memorable debut
Video: TEX@OAK: Ladendorf's first hit authenticated
• "I definitely thought my debut with a new team would go a lot better. I put us in a hole early, a big hole. We got good momentum last night after the way Colby [Lewis] threw, and then I just gave it right back today." -- Detwiler, after giving up nine hits in 4 1/3 innings
WHAT'S NEXT
Two pitchers who emerged victorious in their Spring Training rotation competitions will face off in Thursday's series finale at the O.co Coliseum, with Rangers right-hander Nick Martinez taking the mound against A's rookie righty Kendall Graveman at 12:35 p.m. PT.