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2-4 - Rangers score runs in a Cole Classic 4-1 win

Texas was able to scrape together four runs of support for Cole Hamels

By ghostofErikThompson
Texas Rangers v Oakland Athletics
That’ll do, Cole
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Well that’s pretty much how you’d draw up a Texas Rangers victory in 2018 if given the opportunity. Staff ace Cole Hamels dominated with 11 Ks as the offense was able to do the previously unthinkable: score runs off of Oakland A’s starter Kendall Graveman.

After a frustrating night on Monday where the Rangers went 1-15 in RISP changes, tonight Texas scored twice in the top of the second to kind of give themselves a moment to breathe.

And, sure, four runs probably isn’t going to win you a game in the American League more often than not. For the Rangers, however, four runs probably felt like a dozen giving their woes at the plate to start the season.

Texas collected ten hits total with two apiece from Nomar Mazara, Rougned Odor, and Robinson Chirinos. Joey Gallo hit his second home run, a solo laser beam by the right field foul pole, and maybe most importantly, every Rangers hitter after Elvis Andrus in the lineup had at least one hit. Yes, even Ryan Rua.

On the mound, Hamels had the aforementioned 11 Ks in his winning effort while a bullpen trio of Alex Claudio, Chris Martin, and Keone Kela tossed four scoreless innings. For Kela, it was his first save of 2018 as Texas felt the warm embrace of the Win Column once more.

Player of the Game: Hamels’ season high strikeout total in 2017 was eight Ks. Hamels tonight tied that total with two outs in the third inning tonight. Overall, Hamels ended up striking out 11 A’s hitters over five innings of work.

Hamels allowed a solo home run and four total hits to go along with three walks, but otherwise, he was good, especially at getting swinging strikes.

It is here where we have to wonder if the folks who would ding Yu Darvish for an outing like this will voice displeasure with Cole Hamels for only going five innings.

Up Next: The Rangers and A’s play yet more baseball with Doug Fister set to take the mound against another thorn in the Rangers’ side, LHP Sean Manaea of Oakland. First pitch is once again scheduled for 9:05 pm CT.