ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers’ beleaguered bullpen delivered Wednesday night to help salvage the final game of a disappointing homestand.
Four relievers worked 4 1/3 innings, the only baserunner reaching on a throwing error, as the Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 4-2. Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a go-ahead single in the fifth to help stop Oakland’s four-game winning streak.
Jesse Chavez (1-0) retired all four batters he faced in relief of starter Doug Fister. Keone Kela pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save of the season.
The win closed a 2-4 homestand, leaving Texas with a 4-12 home record, equaling the fewest wins through the first 16 home games during the Rangers’ 47 seasons.
Among the four losses, the bullpen allowed four runs in the ninth inning Friday, five runs in the seventh Saturday and six in the ninth Monday.
“We’ve been going through our little trials and tribulations,” said Kela, perfect in save situations this season. “It was a good, collective bullpen win to move forward and just forget about the past.”
“To get these guys out there and off the field in positive situations, close the door for them, I believe will go a long ways to get them back on track mentally and physically,” Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
Kendall Graveman (0-5) got the first two outs in the fifth before four straight batters reached, beginning with Jurickson Profar’s double. Texas scored twice in the inning for a 3-2 lead.
Graveman, who entered the game with a 10.07 ERA, recorded season highs with six innings and seven strikeouts.
“He mixed his pitches again and overall pitched better,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “We just didn’t score many runs for him. We just didn’t play a good game overall.”
“To go out there and have a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth was big for myself,” Graveman said.
Fister was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day and allowed two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings while throwing 105 pitches. He was out since April 10 with a right hip strain.
BELTRE JOINS CROWDED RANGERS DL
As Fister was activated, Texas placed Adrian Beltre on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Starting SS Elvis Andrus and 2B Rougned Odor are already on the DL.
“You don’t want the main guys going out that way,” Andrus said. “But at the same time, it’s a good time for the young guys to step up.”
Banister plans to primarily play Kiner-Falefa at third in Beltre’s absence.
WHAT CAN MANAEA DO FOR AN ENCORE?
A’s RHP Sean Manaea will start Friday after no-hitting the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. The five previous Oakland pitchers who have thrown complete-game no-hitters were 1-3 with one no-decision in their next starts. Jim “Catfish” Hunter followed his May 8, 1968 perfect game vs. the Minnesota Twins by beating the Twins 13-8. Manaea will have an extra day’s rest thanks to Thursday’s off day.
SHORT HOPS
Khris Davis homered for his seventh of the season and 19th in 44 career games against Texas, his most against any opponent. … Texas OF Joey Gallo matched a career high with three hits, all singles - including a bunt against the shift. … Oakland acquired RHP Wilmer Font from the Dodgers for LHP Logan Salow. … Texas recalled OF Ryan Rua from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Beltre on the roster and optioned RHP Matt Bush to Round Rock to make room for Fister.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: LHP Ryan Buchter left with after facing one batter in the seventh inning with shoulder stiffness.
UP NEXT
Athletics: Manaea (3-2 1.23) will pitch against Houston LHP Dallas Keuchel (1-3, 3.10).
Rangers: LHP Mike Minor (1-1, 3.86), who has lasted six innings in only one of his four starts this season, will face Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (0-2, 8.55) on Friday.
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