After a pair of rough nights for Oakland's offense, the A's came alive Saturday night with five runs on four home runs, including a moon shot from the red-hot Ramon Laureano, who took his time exiting the box following the 413-foot homer.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Rafael Montero didn't take kindly to Laureano's admiration of the home run -- and hit him with a fastball in the eighth inning -- prompting both benches to empty. Both Montero and Rangers manager Chris Woodward were ejected following the scrum.
The Rangers did make a comeback effort that fell just short as the A's hung on for a 5-4 victory. Liam Hendriks came in for Oakland in the ninth and closed the door, allowing just one hit before notching his ninth save of the season.
Laureano will get a scheduled day off, as Mark Canha will slide over and play center field while Robbie Grossman and Chad Pinder will man right and left field respectively. The A's will send Mike Fiers to the mound, as the veteran enters Sunday with a 9-3 record and a 3.57 ERA in 22 starts. Texas will counter with Pedro Payano, who will be making his first start of the season. Payano has two relief appearances in 2019, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in six innings pitched.
Here are the full lineups for the A's-Rangers game, which will be broadcast on NBC Sports California and the MyTeams app. Coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. PT, with first pitch at 6:07.
Texas Rangers (53-52)
Sports
Shin Soo-Choo, DH
Danny Santana, 1B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Nomar Mazara, RF
Willie Calhoun, LF
Rougned Odor, 2B
Asdrúbal Cabrera, 3B
Delino DeShields, CF
Tim Federowicz, C
Pedro Payano, RHP (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Oakland A's (59-47)
Marcus Semien, SS
Matt Chapman, 3B
Matt Olson, 1B
Mark Canha, CF
Khris Davis, DH
Jurickson Profar, 2B
Chad Pinder, RF
Robbie Grossman, LF
Josh Phegley, C
Mike Fiers, RHP (9-3, 3.57 ERA)
