Game of the Week: July 24: OAK @ TEX

[Commissioner Erick]

Oakland Athletics (54-46) @ Texas Rangers (47-53)


OAK: Jose Berrios (8-5, 3.51)
TEX: Luke Weaver (1-3, 5.71)


Oakland's last six games were against a San Francisco team with a losing record and the A's dropped four of six. The A's find themselves six games behind the Seattle Mariners now and fading in the division race. They'll play their next seven games against teams with losing records though as they try to get back into things, including today's contest with the Texas Rangers for the Game of the Week.

Oakland was a hit away from tying up the Giants in the 9th inning on Sunday, but Jorge Mateo struck out with two men on and the A's down one in the ninth. Mateo's hitting only .172 in July, contributing to Oakland's offensive struggles. In fact, Oakland has the third fewest home runs in July, and just the ninth best OPS. They traded away Franklin Barreto on July 3rd, and are just 7-8 since then, with players like Mateo thrust into a bigger role.

Jose Berrios will start, but he's had a major problem issuing home runs this year. In fact, he's issued a home run in each of his road starts this year aside from his second one back on April 16. He gave up six runs and two long balls in 4.1 innings in Texas in June in his only start in Arlington this year. The Rangers have had a disappointing year, but they can still crank the long ball, with eight regulars with double digit homers.

Texas simply hasn't had the batting average to compliment the power. Paul Goldschmidt's average is down to .200, and his fall off has taken the Rangers offense from a powerhouse to a mediocrity. Combined with Rougned Odor cratering after last year's strong year, and Texas hasn't been able to count on its best players. They can still finish with a winning record, but after earning at least a share of the AL West every year of the PBA, this looks like the second straight year they'll miss the playoffs.


Questions for the GM's:


For Creig McBride, How have you tried to keep your offense afloat after the Barreto trade?

Bobby Wahl had a great start to the season, had a disastrous May, and hasn't been able to right himself. What's happened to him?

What are your thoughts on Miguel Hiraldo's rookie season?

For Clayton Piper, is this the end of your team's run, where you'll need to rebuild?

How painful has it been seeing Goldschmidt struggle so much this season after his wonderful career in Texas?

How has Raimfer Salinas looked in his second season in the league?


TRIVIA: Aside from Goldschmidt, who is the only PBA First Baseman to have both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove Award to his name?

[Commissioner Erick]

Rangers 7 - Athletics 5


WP: L. Weaver (1-2)
LP: J. Berrios (8-6)
SV: A. Claudio (3)


The Texas Rangers handed the Oakland Athletics a loss at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The final score was 7-5. Ryan O'Hearn was named player of the game for Texas. In addition to his 1 single and 2 home runs, he scored 2 runs and drove in 5. The winner was Luke Weaver, who threw 77 pitches over 5 innings. The right-hander was charged with 2 runs on 4 hits. The 4th-place Rangers now have a 4-game winning streak.

O'Hearn had a key at-bat for Texas early in the game. With a runner on 1st, he hit a 2-run home run. It was his 18th home run of the season and gave Texas an early 2-0 lead.

"We'll savor this win," O'Hearn told the Texas Herald, "then get ready for the next game."


Questions for the GM's:


For Creig McBride, you hinted after the game that you may look into trading Jose Berrios after the year. How do you reconcile his disappointing road performance with a pretty terrific home performance this season?

Ryon Healy has hit well this year in limited chances, and he had a pinch hit single in the ninth inning. Will you look to get his bat into the lineup more frequently in the second half?

Byron Buxton has been hurt a lot the last two seasons, but he had a nice game with a home run today. Where does he fit in your plans going forward?

For Clayton Piper, Ryan O'Healy had one of his best games of his career with a pair of home runs and five driven in. In a year where so many players have disappointed, how nice has his production been?

You signed Luke Weaver to a minor league deal after he was released by Atlanta earlier in the year. He looked good here in his third start with the team. What did you think of his performance?

What are your goals after this solid win? Do you think you can still make the postseason or will the second half be more about developing youngsters?


TRIVIA: Which pitcher has allowed the most home runs in a season in Oakland history?

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Freddie Freeman

TRIVIA 2: Frankie Montas