McNeil Powers Athletics
Jeff McNeil Powers Athletics to 8-3 Win Over Rangers, Snapping Three-Game Slide
Jeff McNeil went 4 for 5 with three RBIs and a go-ahead home run as the Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 8-3 in West Sacramento on Friday night, according to AP via Yahoo Sports. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Oakland, though the team has still dropped 12 of its last 15 games.
McNeil's 400-Foot Homer Breaks the Game Open
McNeil was the clear star of the night. He went 4 for 5 at the plate and drove in three runs. His biggest hit was a 400-foot go-ahead home run that put the Athletics in front for good, according to Leader Telegram. He added another key hit in the eighth inning to stretch the lead further.
Lawrence Butler also had a strong night at the plate. Butler drove in three RBIs to give the Athletics a second big bat in the lineup, per Winnipeg Free Press. Together, McNeil and Butler accounted for six of the team's eight runs batted in.
Gage Jump Gives Athletics Solid Starting Pitching
Starter Gage Jump kept the Athletics in the game early. He threw 5 1/3 innings and gave up just three runs on three hits, according to Seattle PI. He walked four batters and struck out one, but held Texas off the scoreboard long enough for the offense to take over.
Texas was held to just four hits all night. The Rangers went 1 for 5 with runners in scoring position, per The Facts. That inability to convert with men on base proved costly as the Athletics pulled away in the later innings.
A Rare Win Amid a Brutal Recent Stretch
Friday's win was a bright spot in what has been a rough run for the Athletics. The team has lost 12 of its last 15 games, according to WRAL. The three-game slide they snapped included losses that had put pressure on the roster heading into the weekend series.
The Athletics are still looking to build consistency in their first season at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. One strong night from McNeil is a start, but the team will need more performances like this to turn around a difficult stretch of play, per Houston Chronicle.
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