WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jacob Wilson delivered a two-run single in the third inning and Jeffrey Springs worked into the seventh as the Athletics snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Texas Rangers with a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.
Wilson’s hit came after Denzel Clarke doubled with two outs and MacKenzie Gore walked two straight batters. The A’s shortstop also made a diving stop on Andrew McCutchen’s grounder up the middle in the second, spinning and throwing off-balance from the outfield grass for the out.
Springs (3-0) allowed one run on five hits over 6⅓ innings, striking out five. Mark Leiter Jr. pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts for his second save, completing a four-hitter.
The Rangers took an early lead when Brandon Nimmo doubled and scored on Jake Burger’s single in the first. But the A’s answered in the third and held on behind strong defense, including Clarke’s leaping catch at the center-field wall to rob McCutchen of a home run in the fourth.
Gore (2-1) allowed three hits over 4⅔ innings but walked six, matching his career high.
Texas reliever Luis Curvelo appeared to injure his throwing arm on a wild pitch in the seventh. The 25-year-old right-hander’s pitch sailed wide of the batter’s box, and he immediately signaled for a trainer while letting his glove drop. He was replaced by Tyler Alexander. The Rangers did not provide an immediate update.
Curvelo, called up April 5, had allowed six hits and three earned runs in five innings over his first three appearances this season.
The A’s have won six of seven after a 3-7 start and own four one-run victories in their last seven games.
Texas right-hander Kumar Rocker (0-1, 4.50 ERA) opposes Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.27) in Wednesday’s series finale.
