Thoughts on a 5-1 Rangers loss

A’s 5, Rangers 1

• That was disappointing.
• I mean, the game, the result, sure, but really what’s disappointing is not getting to see the wacky extra innings rules for the first time.
• Texas got eight innings of terrific pitching. Lance Lynn continued to do Lance Lynn things, allowing a single run on a Matt Chapman home run in 6.1 IP, walking three, allowing three hits, and striking out seven.
• If the Rangers don’t get their shit together, Lynn, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since the start of last year and who under contract through 2021, could be the subject of a bidding war at the end of the month...especially with how pitchers have been going down this season.
• The run Lynn allowed was the first he has allowed this season. He’s allowed 1 run now in 18.1 IP.
• Jonathan Hernandez continued to show why he was the talk of camp this spring. 1.2 scoreless innings, one hit, 2 Ks. He’s got a 2.70 ERA and would have a good case for being the closer if he weren’t so valuable as a multi-inning guy.
• Edinson Volquez came in for the ninth and from the outset didn’t have it. He walked Matt Olson on 4 pitches, fell behind Matt Chapman then gave up a single, and then walked Franklin Barreto. He elicited a pop out for the first out, then was lifted for Jesse Chavez, who gave up a first pitch grand slam to Stephen Piscotty.
• The offense was ass today. The lone run scored when Joey Gallo hunted down the third base line for a single with two outs in the sixth, and then scored on a Todd Frazier double, though Frazier then was caught between second and third on the throw home and was erased in a rundown to end the inning.
• Gallo had his bunt, Frazier has a pair of doubles, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has two hits and a walk, and Rob Refsnyder had a walk. That was the extent of the Ranger offense tonight.
• Manager Chris Woodward is clearly trying to use his expanded roster to help generate some added offense against lefty starters, but I’m not sure Adolis Garcia is a legitimate major leaguer right now, and designated hitter Rob Refsnyder isn’t a phrase that inspires confidence.
• Robinson Chirinos had the hardest hit ball of the night, a groundout that was 114.5 mph. He also had a ball hit 101.1 for a groundout. Tough night for Robby.
• Other Rangers with 100+ EVs tonight were Todd Frazier, who had 106.8 a double and 101.5 on a fly out, Elvis Andrus, who was 104.0 on a groundout, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who had a single at 105.2
• For the pitchers, Jonathan Hernandez topped out at 97.8 mph and sat 96-97 mph in his outing. Lance Lynn topped out at 95.9. Jesse Chavez’s only pitch was 87.4.
• So, once again, we lament the failure of the offense, and hope for better results tomorrow.