Thoughts on a 7-4 Rangers win

Rangers 7, A’s 4

• Tonight was a reminder that even in a bad season, there are some really great wins.
• Tell the truth...first inning, you thought tonight was going to be a disaster, right? Matt Moore gives up a pair of two out runs, Texas is down 2-0 before they even come to the plate, and it isn’t as if the offense has been on fire lately.
• And even once Moore settled down, there was that inevitable Khris Davis home run, coming in the top of the fifth, after Texas had finally gotten on the board, immediately responding after Texas cut the lead to one. And then when Alex Claudio allowed a run in the seventh, again after Texas had gotten on the board...well, top of the seventh, it was looking like one of those games.
• This is where I note, incidentally, that Matt Moore had a Quality Start. 6 IP, 3 runs allowed. He only struck out a pair while walking two, but hey, I will take it.
• Claudio, who has been extremely good of late, allowed a run, as noted above, and was pulled with two on and one out in the seventh in favor of Jose Leclerc. Leclerc promptly hit a batter, loading the bases, and with Texas down 4-2, it seemed like things were in danger of getting out of control. But no...Leclerc got a grounder that forced the runner at home for the second out, and then fanned pinch hitting Dustin Fowler to snuff out the rally.
• And then Chris Martin pitched a scoreless eighth, and then the Rangers took the lead to put him in position for the win, and then Keone Kela struck out the side in the ninth snd everyone was happy.
• The Rangers had eight hits today. One was a bunt single, two were infield singles, and the other five were home runs. That’s weird, right?
• The Rangers also drew six walks today, which is a bit out of character.
• The home runs were solo shots by Robinson Chirinos, Jurickson Profar and Adrian Beltre (Beltre’s was what put Texas ahead in the 8th), and two run shots from Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Gallo. Gallo also drew a walk and didn’t strike out, which is encouraging.
• Odor was 2 for 3 with a bunt single and an infield single, hit the ball hard the other way for an out, and drew a walk. We will take that.
• Now Texas goes for the sweep of the two game set tomorrow. Yeah, sweeps!