26-46 - Rangers are 8-3 winners over A’s in Elvis’ return to Arlington

The Texas Rangers scored eight runs and the Oakland Athletics scored three runs.

The Rangers brought in Andy Ibanez to shake up the lineup and, wouldn’t you know it, in his first at-bat in his return to the big leagues, the org soldier infielder hit a three-run blast to cap off a five run first inning against the A’s that the Rangers wouldn’t look back from.

The home run was the first of Ibanez’s Major League career and it provided a massive sigh of relief for a Rangers team that had been struggling mightily of late. That it came against the A’s in the first matchup of the season between the two division rivals — in Elvis Andrus’ return — was an added bonus.

Meanwhile, on the mound, Kyle Gibson was good enough for Texas, while a tad inefficient, as he tossed 5 ¹⁄₃ innings of two-run ball on five hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.

Just when it looked like the A’s might rally, Jose Trevino swatted a three-run shot of his own in the bottom of the sixth to put this one to bed.

Player of the Game: Can beat a first career big league dong.

Up Next: The Rangers will go for a winning streak tomorrow night against the A’s with RHP Jordan Lyles RHP Taylor Hearn set to make the start for Texas against LHP Cole Irvin for Oakland. Tuesday’s first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.