OAKLAND (AP) — Stephen Piscotty homered and drove in three to back Chris Bassitt’s winning season debut, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 6-1 Monday night to end a three-game skid.
Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus left in the seventh inning as a precaution after being hit by a pitch in the first and bruising his right hand.
Bassitt (1-0), called up from Triple-A Las Vegas last week, struck out seven and walked four over five innings, allowing two hits. He has won his last three decisions dating to last season.
Matt Chapman added a sacrifice fly in the third as the A’s built on their lead after Piscotty’s solo drive in the second.
Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 907th career appearance, moving him past Cy Young for 24th on baseball’s career list.
Oakland bounced back from a weekend sweep at home by the Blue Jays.
The Rangers couldn’t capitalize on their chances for Mike Minor (2-2), who gave up four runs and four hits, struck out four and walked three in six innings.
Texas had won two in a row.
The Rangers stranded baserunners in the first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings before pinch-hitter Patrick Wisdom’s RBI double in the seventh.
Announced attendance was a dismal 8,073 — Oakland’s lowest crowd of the year.
ECO-CONCIOUS ANTHEM
Former A’s left-hander Barry Zito, the 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner, sang the national anthem acapella from a broadcast booth after asking everyone in the ballpark to join in on a night much of the power — mics, LED signage, speakers and video screen — was briefly turned off to bring awareness to saving energy.
Zito is now a musician living in Nashville with his wife and two sons. A native Californian, Zito has teamed with Energy Upgrade California to do his part to be environmentally conscious. He now has a land line at home and turns off his cell phone at night.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: LHP Brett Anderson could make his next start after spraining his left ankle Sunday, manager Bob Melvin said.
... 1B Matt Olson (right hand surgery) did baseball activities on the field, including soft-toss swings and agility work. He will take batting practice in the coming days and could begin a rehab assignment next week. ... RHP Lou Trivino was playing catch Sunday when the glare from the outfield seats got in his way and a ball hit him in the right thumb. The thumb was bandaged Monday and he wasn’t expected to pitch the series opener, listed as day to day. ... Oakland recalled RHP Ryan Dull from Las Vegas and optioned LHP Ryan Buchter to Triple-A.
UP NEXT
Rangers: RHP Lance Lynn (2-1, 4.44 ERA) looks to win his third straight start, going on an extra day of rest.
Athletics: RHP Frankie Montas (3-1, 2.70), who has given up just three hits in three of his four starts, doesn’t have a decision in four previous appearances vs. Texas.
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