The atmosphere was electric at Hohokam Stadium as the A’s snapped a four-game losing streak with a strong start, scoring six of their seven runs in the first two innings. It was a much-needed boost for the team and the fans.
Jack Perkins was the star on the mound, delivering two perfect innings to kick off the game. With no walks, no hits, and a strikeout, his fastball consistently hit 96 mph. It was a reassuring performance after his struggles against the White Sox.
Mark Leiter Jr. kept the momentum going with a solid third inning, but the A’s pitching hit a bump afterward. Wei-En Lin managed to avoid giving up runs, but his two walks and low velocity were concerning.
The Rangers took advantage in the middle innings, starting with a Tyler Wade home run off Joel Kuhnel. Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang had a tough outing, giving up four hits, including a Marco Torres home run.
However, Nick Hernandez and Brooks Kriske closed the game strong, allowing no hits and striking out three in the final two innings.
On the offensive side, the A’s tallied nine hits, with Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, and Darrell Hernaiz each going 2-for-3. Rooker’s early single got the A’s on the board, and Jeff McNeil followed with a double to drive in Soderstrom. Soderstrom continued to shine with a two-RBI single in the second, and Rooker hit his first home run of the spring shortly after.
Most of the damage was done against Rangers starter Cal Quantrill, who gave up eight hits before being pulled in the third. The A’s bats quieted down after that, but McNeil’s aggressive base running in the fifth, aided by Rangers’ errors, added to the score.
Overall, it was a promising day for the A’s, a welcome change from their recent performances. They’ll face the Kansas City Royals next, with Jeffrey Springs making his first start of 2026. Can the A’s build on this momentum and secure back-to-back wins in the Cactus League?
In other news, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the A’s have offered an extension to Nick Kurtz, potentially the largest in team history. It’ll be interesting to see if they can lock down the first baseman this season.
Additionally, former A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper will be stepping into the booth for some San Francisco Giants games, marking his return since 2023.
The A’s have also circled March 8th for Jacob Lopez’s return from a left elbow flexor strain. He’s been working through live batting practices and side sessions, with hopes to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Let’s keep an eye on his progress.