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Game Thread #31: Oakland A’s at Texas Rangers

Featuring not Lance Barrett behind the plate

By Alex Hall

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Arizona Diamondbacks v Oakland Athletics Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The Oakland A’s lost a tough one on Monday, in their first-ever game at the new Globe Life Field in Arlington. They didn’t do enough to win the game for eight innings, and right as they were making their last stand in the 9th (and a potential comeback rally) they got shut down by the effects of a suddenly horrendous strike zone.

Now they’ll get a chance to jump back on the horse, in the second game of this four-game series. After facing ace Lance Lynn on Monday, they’ll have a slightly less daunting task in Kyle Gibson, but the right-hander is solid in his own right and tossed a quality start against the A’s once already this year. In that game he allowed three runs in six innings and left with a lead, but his bullpen coughed it up in an Oakland comeback victory.

The A’s will counter with Sean Manaea. The lefty has made huge strides his last couple times out, completing at least five innings in each game — both Oakland wins — and allowing just three total earned runs. He got knocked around in his first start against Texas this year, allowing four runs and getting yanked in the 4th.

However, the biggest story of the day is the MLB debut of catcher Jonah Heim, a top prospect whom the A’s called up on Monday. The switch-hitter is a glove-first backstop who has also developed an intriguing offensive game, based on strong OBP and moderate power. Welcome to the Show, Jonah!

First pitch is 5:05 p.m., with the following options to watch or listen:

  • TV: NBC Sports California
  • Radio: 960 AM
  • Online video stream: fuboTV
  • Online audio stream: iHeartRadio

A’s lineup (away)

  1. SS Marcus Semien (R)
  2. LF Robbie Grossman (S)
  3. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
  4. DH Mark Canha (R)
  5. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
  6. 1B Matt Olson (L)
  7. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
  8. 2B Tony Kemp (L)
  9. C Jonah Heim (S)
  • Sean Manaea, LHP

Lineup shakeup! And MLB debut for Heim!

Rangers lineup (home)

  1. CF Leody Taveras (S)
  2. LF Nick Solak (R)
  3. 3B Todd Frazier (R)
  4. RF Joey Gallo (L)
  5. 1B Danny Santana (S)
  6. DH Jose Trevino (R)
  7. C Robinson Chirinos (R)
  8. SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R)
  9. 2B Yadiel Rivera (S)
  • Kyle Gibson, RHP

Also a shakeup. Most notably, Gallo is back in there against a lefty.

Let’s Go Oakland!

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