OAK Athletics at TEX Rangers (May 09, 2008)
2008-05-09 06:45:00
PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW
(OAKLAND-TEXAS)
*Athletics seek fifth win in a row*
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Oakland (22-14) at Texas (16-20) 8:05 pm EDT
ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) - The Oakland Athletics have been a
pleasant surprise this season and rookie Greg Smith is one of
the reasons why.
Smith looks to guide the Athletics to their fifth straight
victory on Friday when they host the Texas Rangers in the opener
of a three-game series.
The 24-year-old Smith (2-1, 2.54 ERA) was solid in his last
start, holding the Rangers to just one run with a season-high 10
strikeouts in a no-decision on Sunday.
Since the lefthander made his major league debut on April 9,
Smith has not surrendered more than three runs in any of his six
outings and has gone at least five innings on each occasion.
The Rangers turn to Scott Feldman (0-1, 5.40), who gave up three
runs and six hits through 6 1/3 frames on Sunday in a 3-1 loss
at Oakland.
Texas enters after an emotional win on Thursday that was marred
by a bench-clearing brawl in the fourth inning which involved
starter Kason Gabbard and Seattle first baseman Richie Sexson,
who charged the mound after taking exception to a high pitch.
"If you look at the replay, Gabbard was nowhere near Sexson's
head," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "I guess he was just
a little frustrated and things got out of control. We don't
throw at people's heads. Sexson overreacted."
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