Marte’s game-winning HR in 11th pushes A’s past Rangers 4-1

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/08/2021 (1567 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Starling Marte hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning, lifting the Oakland Athletics past the Texas Rangers 4-1 on Friday night.

Tony Kemp made the last out of the 10th and began the 11th at second base. After Mark Canha was hit by a pitch, Marte lined a 3-1 pitch from Jimmy Herget (0-1) over the left field fence. It was Oakland’s fourth hit of the game.

“I was honestly thinking trying to hit the ball up the middle, trying to hit it to the left of the second baseman,” Marte said through an interpreter. “Luckily I got that slider and I was able to adjust to it and hit a homer.”

It’s the A’s second straight walk-off win and their 10th overall, tying Colorado for most in the majors.

Yusmeiro Petit (8-1) retired three batters to earn the win.

Acquired from the Miami Marlins before the trade deadline, Marte also reached on a bunt single in the sixth. The A’s have won six of eight.

“His approach is something that you truly fear as a pitcher,” Oakland starter Chris Bassitt said. “He tries to hit line drives hard away with fastballs, and then if you hang something he’s definitely got the ability to put it out of the park, which we (saw) tonight.”

Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits for the Rangers. Texas has lost 12 straight on the road.

Oakland loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth but managed only one run. Matt Olson scored on Mitch Moreland’s double play groundout.

“We should have won that game,” Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. “Our offense needs to step up and support the pitching we were getting the whole game. They deserved better.”

Curtis Terry doubled off Bassitt in the fifth and scored on Kiner-Falefa’s two-out single to tie it at 1-all.

CANHA TIES A’S MARK

Canha has been hit by pitches 20 times this season, tying the franchise record shared by Don Baylor (1976) and Jason Kendall (2005).

DEFENSIVE GEMS

A’s All-Star first baseman Matt Olson made a key defensive play in the top of the ninth when he jumped to catch a high throw from shortstop Elvis Andrus and tagged Adolis Garcia on his way down. First base umpire Chris Guccione initially ruled Garcia safe before the call was overturned on replay.

With one out in the 10th, Rangers center fielder DJ Peters threw out Josh Harrison trying to advance to third on pinch-hitter Kemp’s fly ball.

FOR STARTERS

Bassitt had eight strikeouts in seven innings. He allowed five hits and one run.

The Rangers’ Mike Foltynewicz remained winless since the All-Star break despite pitching two-hit ball over six innings. Foltynewicz allowed one run, walked three and hit two batters.

“I was just a little effectively wild today,” Foltynewicz said.

A’S LAUREANO SUSPENDED

Athletics center fielder Ramón Laureano was suspended for 80 games without pay by the commissioner’s office after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.The commissioner’s office said Laureano tested positive for Nandrolone in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension is effective immediately.

“It’s a difficult day and it shocks everybody,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “Our guys in the clubhouse were shocked by it.”

Outfielder Seth Brown was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Laureano on the A’s roster.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: LHP John King (left shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment soon and will likely make two starts before being considered to come off the injured list. King threw 20 pitches to hitters before Friday’s game.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Athletics: Manager Bob Melvin anticipates IF/OF Chad Pinder (strained right hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment by the middle of the month. Pinder has been on the IL since July 8. … RHP James Kaprielian (right shoulder) threw off flat ground before the game and may come off the IL to start on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Athletics LHP Cole Irvin (7-10, 3.50 ERA) is 1-1 in two starts against Texas this season. All seven of Irvin’s wins have come when Oakland scores three or more runs. Rangers RHP Drew Anderson (0-0, 0.00) will make his second career start and first since 2018.

__

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports