The Athletics lose to the Rangers 5-1

After a thrilling walk-off win last night against Texas, the Oakland Athletics played their final game at the Coliseum tonight against American League West rivals the Rangers. The second game of the series featured two 26-year-old left-handers; Brady Basso for the A’s and Cody Bradford for the Rangers.

The Rangers quickly took the lead before the first out was recorded. Marcus Semien scored with a single and Wyatt Langford hit a home run to give the reigning world champions a 2-0 lead. Jonah Heim went and Aroldis Garcia and Nathaniel Lowe each drove in another individually. However, Basso managed to close the door with three consecutive outs and take first. As the bottom team in the first round, the Rangers had a 3-0 lead.

Lawrence Butler opened with a single. Brent Rooker ended his 0-18 streak with a hard single to short, moving Butler to second. But Bradford was able to strike out two of the next three batters to end the inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the second, Aroldis Garcia first broke in with a ball over his head, and when he got the ball back into the infield, Cameron was at third with his first triple of the year. Number nine batter Darell Hernaiz hit a single up the middle to drive Cameron in.

Jonah Heim led off with a single in the third, and Aroldis Garcia made up for his fielding error with a no-doubt home run to left. The Rangers led 5-1.

The A’s started a surge at the end of the third period. With two outs, Tyler Nevin singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Zack Gelof walked and Tyler Soderstrom reached the bases on a fielding error. But last night’s hero, Jacob Wilson, couldn’t recapture the magic and ended the inning with a force out. Joe Boyle replaced Basso after completing three innings. Basso gave up five earned runs. His downfall was the two two-run home runs.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Lawrence Butler singled for his second hit of the game, and Brent Rooker walked, advancing Butler to second. Shea Langeliers struggled to load the bases. Texans captain Bruce Bochy saw enough and replaced Bradford for Cody Festa. Seth Brown pinch-hit for Tyler Nevin and jumped to shallow center field to end the threat. For the second straight inning, the A’s left the bases loaded.

Hogan Harris came into the game to start the seventh and pitched two strong innings, walking one and striking out five Rangers.

Grant Holman shut out the Rangers in the ninth, giving the A’s one last chance for a comeback victory. But it wasn’t meant to be. The final night game in the Oakland Coliseum’s storied history went 5-1 to the Texas Rangers.

Many of the players stuck around, enjoying the moment and capturing the attention of fans who seemed in no hurry to leave. They signed autographs, threw baseballs into the stands and even brought their families to the field. Even the ground staff felt the fans’ love and filled water bottles and ziplock bags with dirt from the pitch and warning track.

Tomorrow the A’s host the Rangers for their final game at the Coliseum.