Rangers recap: Oakland takes series as Texas offense reverts to form

The Rangers are still looking for their first series win of 2015. Oakland took the weekend series with 7-1 win Sunday at Globe Life Park. The Rangers offense, which had erupted for 23 hits in the first two games, couldn’t take advantage of nine walks and stranded 14 runners on base.

Pitching: Starter Yovani Gallardo struggled with his command, issuing a season-high four walks in 6 2/3 innings. Oakland built a 2-0 lead with runs in the fifth and sixth, including an unearned run that scored on a throwing error by shortstop Elvis Andrus. Stephen Vogt made it 2-0 with a solo homer in the sixth. In the seventh, a two-out single and walk knocked Gallardo from the game. Alex Claudio came in and surrendered a three-run homer to Vogt to make it 5-0.

Hitting: After collecting a combined 23 hits in the first two games of the series, the Rangers were held to three hits Sunday by starter Sonny Gray and the A’s bullpen. Gray held the Rangers in check through 6 2/3 innings, despite seven walks. The Rangers hit just four balls out of the fineld through the first seven innings. Two of those were by Shin-Soo Choo, who doubled to led-off the fourth. The Rangers later had the bases loaded but Choo was thrown out at home on a grounder to first by Rougned Odor. Leonys Martin grounded out to second with the bases loaded to end the inning. In the sixth, Kyle Blanks and Carlos Peguero were on with one out after a walk and error but Gray struck out Carlos Corporan and Odor to end the inning. The Rangers had two on with one out again in the seventh but Adrian Beltre struck out and Choo flew out to center. In the ninth, Choo nearly knocked a grand slam but his fly ball was caught at the wall to drive in the lone Rangers’ run.

Notable: A’s pitcher Sonny Gray made a barehanded grab of a comebacker by Elvis Andrus in the first inning. Two batters later he nearly did it again but decided to knock it down with his glove and threw out Adrian Beltre to end the inning. Gray had six walks combined in his five starts before walking seven Sunday. He struck out 10. Oakland Pitchers combined to walk a season-high nine batters.

This story was originally published May 3, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Rangers recap: Oakland takes series as Texas offense reverts to form."