A’s win big in Texas, 9-2

Home runs continue to be contagious and Sears continues to be dangerous

These A’s just keep swinging it.

One of the leagues hottest second-half offenses added another four home runs en-route to a dominant 9-2 victory over the Texas Rangers tonight to take the first game of three in Arlington. JP Sears was also stellar for seven innings to seal off a complete team win.

The A’s hit four home runs yesterday and 11 total over their three-game set in Cincinnati, so it’s no surprise that the long ball got things started again tonight. Brent Rooker smashed a home run just two batters into the game to give the A’s a quick 1-0 advantage.

Nathaniel Lowe would respond with a solo-shot of his own in the second to tie things up but that’d be the most damage the Rangers had all day against Sears. Despite allowing a couple of runners to reach scoring position Sears was in total control for the entire outing.

In the third, the A’s benefitted from the long ball yet again. Jacob Wilson and Rooker walked setting up first and second for JJ Bleday, and Bleday continued his recent hot-stretch with a three-run shot to right — his 20th of the season. Those would be the only two walks surrendered by Rangers starter Jon Gray tonight but they’d come back to bite him instantly.

The A’s now have three hitters with 20+ big flies and Lawrence Butler looming just behind with 19.

In the end, Sears turned in a great rebound start from his last outing last week. The southpaw went seven innings allowing five hits, just the one run and four punch-outs. He’s now gone 7+ frames in five of his last six starts and he’s 3-0 against the Rangers this season.

Rooker added an insurance run in the seventh with another solo bomb to left field — his second of the game and 33rd on the season. One of the leagues best strikes yet again.

The Rangers made it 5-2 thanks to a Seth Brown error in the eighth but the A’s offense wouldn’t be denied tonight. RBI doubles from Butler and Bleday followed by a two-run rocket off the bat of Shea Langeliers put the nail in the coffin as the A’s lead grew to 9-2.

The A’s struck 11 hits and six extra base hits tonight as they’ve now hit 15 home runs in their last four games. Bleday recorded four RBIs while he, Langeliers, Rooker and Brown all enjoyed multi-hit nights. The A’s will look to keep the momentum going tomorrow at 4:05 PM PDT as Joey Estes takes the ball against Cody Bradford.