Comeback falls short as Athletics lose 12-11

Can’t waste an outburst like that

The A’s dropped the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, losing a high-scoring 12-11 game in the series finale against the Rangers.

Today’s contest started out quietly as both teams went down 1-2-3 in the first. Righty Osvaldo Bido was on the mound for his Athletics debut after forcing his way to the big leagues with a hot start in Triple-A. Texas got to him in the second inning with a two-out rally capped by an RBI single, but it was only the second inning and on a hot day at the Coliseum like today, there was going to be more action.

And it wouldn’t take long for that action to get going. The bottom of the second saw the A’s get on the board thanks to a Shea Langeliers 2-run shot to give the A’s the lead:

A monster game from the starting catcher. Did Tyler Soderstrom’s call up put a little fire in Langeliers to get going? With today’s performance Langeliers put himself into A’s history:

The lead wouldn’t last long. Bido loaded the bases in the third inning before exiting with an injury, leaving the game with the bases loaded and two down for righty Michael Kelly. He only needed one out but instead allowed two singles and a passed ball. Texas ultimately scored four runs in the frame. We later learned of Bido’s injury:

Not the best start from the rookie right-hander. The injury may help explain some of the issues in his final inning of work but overall Bido didn’t do much to impress. We’ll see whether he goes on the IL, sent down, or given another start.

Not deterred, the offense kept up the pressure. A couple hits put a runner in scoring position and a Rangers error brought in one run. With runners on the corner for Langeliers, he bounced a ball right back to the pitcher, who attempted to turn a double play and escape the inning. A hustling Shea beat out the throw from second base though and the runner at third scored.

Again, Texas answered. Two runs crossed home plate in the top of the fourth, answering the Athletics from the previous inning.

And again, the team answered right back. In his first game with the team this year, Tyler Soderstrom connected on his first bomb of the season, a 2-run opposite field shot:

That’s what we were hoping to see last year. There isn’t much left for Soderstrom to prove down on the farm so it’s encouraging to see him bringing the fire in his first game action. He would finish the day 2-5 with two RBI’s.

Then things got quiet. Real quiet. The A’s would only collect two more hits from Soderstrom’s homer to the ninth inning. Not exciting, but they were just saving their best for last.

Veteran lefty TJ McFarland allowed the two hits that scored runs (charged to Kelly) but otherwise had a scoreless two inning day. Lefty Kyle Muller followed him out of the bullpen and had two scoreless innings, but gave up three runs in his third inning of work. Not a great outing for Muller, who could be a candidate to make a start or two with Boyle on the IL. New reliever Easton Lucas took the ninth and allowed a couple extra insurance runs for Texas, putting this game seemingly out of reach. Those runs ended up being huge.

Comfortably ahead five runs in the ninth, the Rangers probably thought this game would be over any minute. The A’s however had a comeback on their minds. Three straight hits to open the bottom of the ninth gave the A’s legit hope. They brought in four runs on a balk, sac fly, RBI single and an RBI double. Suddenly the game-winning run was on base for Tyler Nevin. The rally ended just one batter too early as he flew out to right field to end this one.

Well, at least we got one win today. Today’s game ended in a loss but the squad never gave up, even against long odds. They’ll need to keep that mindset up throughout the long season but this club seems capable.

The team has a day off tomorrow before heading out on the road for a three-city road trip. First stop: Seattle. Righty Paul Blackburn is set to get the road trip started on Friday evening. These division games are important so let’s hope the club puts its best foot forward against the division rival.