The Oakland A's played their first game at the new Globe Life Park in Arlington, Tex. Still feeling out how the unfamiliar grounds plays, the A's lost 3-2 to the Texas Rangers Monday night.
The A's loaded the bases in the ninth inning with one out, but Rangers reliever Rafael Montero took advantage of a low strike zone to strikeout Matt Olson looking with three pitches at his shins. Matt Chapman flied out the other way to end it
The Rangers had lost eight straight games before beating the A's to begin this four-game series.
Jesus Luzardo held the Texas Rangers to three runs in his fifth start of the year. He had a rocky start, all three runs came in the first two innings.
After striking out Leody Taveras to kick off the first inning, he allowed back-to-back singles to Nick Solak and Danny Santana. Veteran Todd Frazier reached out and poked a two-strike changeup into center field to score the Rangers' first two runs.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa's first home run of the season gave the Rangers their third run.
Luzardo struggled to find feel for his slider early in the season, but had it down pat Monday. All seven of his strikeouts were off his slider. He was one out shy of completing seven innings, departing after issuing his second walk at 96 pitches.
Against Rangers right-hander Lance Lynn _ he of a 1.37 ERA _ the A's swung early at his fastball and struck gold. Mark Canha, who entered the game with a .410 OBP ranking sixth in the league, singled to score Marcus Semien from third in the first inning.
Stephen Piscotty gave the A's their second run with his fifth home run of the season and 22nd RBI in the month of August.
