Rangers Overcome Heat, Grief, And A’s

The Texas Rangers , just a day after a fan died at their ballpark (story here), won their 5th straight game by defeating the Oakland Athletics 7-5 in blazing hot temperatures Friday night in Arlington.

With the temperature soaring above 100, starting pitcher CJ Wilson earned his 9th win of the year in a battle of two All-Star pitchers.   Wilson went 7 innings, giving up 5 hits and striking out 8.

Offensively, the Rangers pounded the A’s from the beginning.  scoring 5 runs in the 1st inning.  Mike Napoli hit a grand slam to open the scoring, and went 3-for-4 on the day.  Ian Kinsler and Adrian Beltre also hit home runs in the game. 

Texas and Oakland will play again tonight at the Ballpark.