Perez drops to 1-4 despite 3.48 ERA, Rangers lose 8-1
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Martin Perez seems to have one bad inning in his starts, and, despite his 3.48 ERA, he has just one win in five decisions.
Perez gave up three runs on three hits in the first inning and then came back to give up one run on five hits over his final six. It was too late as the Oakland Athletics tacked on late runs to beat the Rangers 8-1 on Wednesday and sweep the series.
"Kind of the old nemesis for him, the one inning, showed up in the first," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "After that, settled in, threw strikes, mixed his pitches."
The Rangers (22-19) remain in contention in the AL West despite being outscored 187-186 on the season.
The Rangers' last four wins have been by two runs or less. Five of the last six losses are by three runs or more.
"The story is the first inning, going down three," Banister said. "That puts a lot of pressure on us, especially against a guy like Rich Hill, who throws a big curveball, actually several breaking balls that kept us off balance."
Khris Davis hit his fourth home run in two games and Danny Valencia drove in two for the Athletics, who completed a series sweep at home, of at least three games, for the first time in nearly two years.
"We have to do a better job of putting more runs on the board for our pitching staff," Texas outfielder Ian Desmond said.
Hill (6-3) won for the first time at home, and his third straight, after giving up a run on three hits over his six innings. He walked one and struck out six.
"He didn't throw many mistakes," Rangers' Prince Fielder said. "His curveball, he kept it down. He had good control."
Perez (1-4) gave up four runs on eight hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out six and is winless over his last four starts.
"I couldn't find my rhythm early but I made some adjustments," Perez said. "I just stayed back and threw the ball."
Fielder drove in a run for the Rangers, who have lost three straight. Fielder has seven RBIs over his last 20 games after driving in 14 in his first 16. Desmond collected a pair of hits.
"We had some good at bats," Fielder said. "We just couldn't get it done."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: IF Elvis Andrus served his one-game suspension that resulted from Sunday's Rangers-Blue Jays bench-clearing brawl on Tuesday night. He spent the day walking around San Francisco. "There are a lot of stores there," he said. Andrus said he can't remember what happened Sunday. "It was too fast," he said. "Whatever I did doesn't matter. It's over with and I'm ready to move on." ... RHP Shawn Tolleson was removed from the closer's role for the time being, with RHP Sam Dyson taking over the role. ... RHP Yu Darvish is scheduled to make his fifth start on injury rehab assignment on Sunday for the Frisco RoughRiders. He's scheduled for six innings or 90 pitches. ... OF Shin-Soo Choo is expected to rejoin the team in Houston on Friday.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Following an off-day Thursday, RHP Colby Lewis (2-0, 3.12) starts Friday's series opener at the Houston Astros. He's finished at least six innings in each of his first eight starts.