Texas Rangers take first game of doubleheader, but lose Elvis Andrus for rest of year
The Texas Rangers started fast for a change Saturday.
Rougned Odor connected for a three-run homer and Ronald Guzman followed with a two-run shot as the Rangers scored five first-inning runs with two outs en route to a 5-2 victory over the Oakland A’s in the first game of a doubleheader.
Wes Benjamin allowed two runs in four innings for his first career victory.
After the game, the Rangers placed shortstop Elvis Andrus on the injured list with back issues that will keep him out the rest of the season. Prospect Sherten Apostel was recalled from the alternate camp and made his MLB debut at third base.
“He may get a shot in his back which would put him out of commission and we only have a couple weeks left,” manager Chris Woodward said. of Andrus “It wouldn’t make sense to get him back out there for two or three games if he’s not going to be 100 percent.”
The Rangers did the necessary damage early on with their biggest first inning of the season and their first two first-inning homers at Globe Life Field. But the rally started with a leadoff walk by Leody Taveras from Daulton Jeffries, who was making his MLB debut.
Joey Gallo kept the inning alive with a two-out walk, as he reached based for the 14th straight game, and Odor followed with his second homer in as many games.
After Andrus took a walk, Guzman connected for his third homer of the season.
Nick Goody tossed a scoreless first inning before Benjamin took over in the second. He allowed only three hits and a walk
“I’m hoping that if there’s any questions if I could potentially start in this league, I would hope that I’ve resolved them a little bit,” Benjamin said. “I told Woody whatever it takes to win games. I think that’s going to be the main goal for me, whether it’s starting or relieving, I’m going to go out and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Per rule this season, both games of a doubleheader are only seven innings. The opener was the makeup from Aug. 27, after the A’s chose to boycott playing to call attention to racial injustice following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
