Josh Jung has recorded three straight three-hit games, making him one of the many hot Texas hitters.
The Rangers, who have scored 41 runs during a four-game winning streak, will look to continue their splurge when they close a three-game series against the Athletics on Sunday at West Sacramento, Calif.
Texas registered 5-2 and 9-3 victories to start this series and has won seven of its last eight games. The Rangers are suddenly just 2 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the American League’s third and final wild-card berth.
“Every game is critical. Every series is huge,” Jung said after the club racked up 17 hits in Saturday’s 9-3 triumph. “… I can’t say enough about the offense right now, especially with the injuries we’re facing. We missed those guys but other guys have stepped up in a big way.”
The Rangers lost star-studded middle infielders Marcus Semien (fractured foot) and Kyle Seager (appendectomy), and there is no guarantee either will return before the end of the regular season.
Dylan Moore was signed Wednesday when Seager was reporting abdominal pain and later left after four innings of that night’s 20-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. He hit a two-run homer on Saturday in his second appearance with the Rangers.
Adolis Garcia had three hits and scored twice and Wyatt Langford homered while having two hits and two runs. Kyle Higashioka and Michael Helman each contributed two hits and two RBIs.
“The offense is swinging it well so it’s really fun to be part of,” Jung said. “Hitting is contagious. We’ve been putting up a lot of hits and scoring a lot of runs.”
Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz sat out Saturday due to a right oblique injury. He could sit again Sunday.
An MRI exam ruled out a serious injury for Kurtz, and A’s manager Mark Kotsay said the rookie first baseman won’t be sidelined long.
“His MRI came back pretty clean,” Kotsay told reporters. “We’ll take it day by day, hopefully we can get him on the field sooner rather than later.”
Kurtz, the No. 4 overall pick of the 2024 draft, is batting .308 with 27 homers and 70 RBIs in 94 games.
Brent Rooker (three hits) and Lawrence Butler each homered for the Athletics on Saturday. Carlos Cortes went 2-for-3 with an RBI and also robbed Higashioka of a homer.
“A couple doubles, and the catch was incredible so overall a great night for Cortes,” Kotsay said of the 28-year-old journeyman.
Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (10-6, 2.79 ERA) will attempt to halt a five-start winless stretch in the finale.
The 37-year-old is 0-4 with a 5.00 ERA during the span. He lost to the Los Angeles Angels last Sunday when he gave up two runs and three hits over five innings.
deGrom’s most recent victory came against the A’s on July 22. He allowed one run and three hits and struck out nine in six innings in a 6-2 home win.
He is 2-0 with a 1.56 ERA in three starts against the A’s this season. Overall, he is 3-1 with a 2.96 ERA in five career starts against the Athletics.
Shea Langeliers (3-for-10) and Butler (2-for-6) each have homered off deGrom.
Right-hander J.T. Ginn (2-5, 4.96) also is winless over his past five outings. He is 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA during the stretch.
Ginn received a no-decision on Monday when gave up three runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers. He struck out eight.
Ginn, 26, received no-decisions in both outings against Texas this season, compiling a 4.15 ERA. He beat the Rangers last season and is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in three career starts against them.
Garcia (2-for-7), Jung (1-for-4) and Jonah Heim (1-for-2) each have homered off Ginn.
–Field Level Media
