Henry Bolte hit two home runs for the first multihomer game of his career Wednesday, powering the Athletics past the Texas Rangers 9-2 at Globe Life Field.
The A’s trailed 2-0 after two innings before scoring nine unanswered runs. Jacob Lopez settled in after allowing two early solo homers, while all nine Athletics starters finished with at least one hit.
The victory snapped a five-game losing streak and helped the A’s avoid a three-game sweep. They improved to 54-86.
Bolte sparks the turnaround
Texas struck first against Lopez. Ezequiel Duran opened the bottom of the first with a solo homer before Justin Foscue did the same in the second.
However, Lopez did not allow another run.
Denzel Clarke opened the third with a single before Bolte tied the game with a two-run homer. Zack Gelof immediately followed with his 15th homer, giving the Athletics a 3-2 lead.
Then Bolte struck again in the fourth. Brian Serven doubled with one out, and Bolte followed with a two-out, two-run homer to right.
The second blast gave Bolte his first career multihomer game and pushed the A’s advantage to 5-2. He finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs, two runs and a walk.
Bolte also stole his 15th base in the first inning.
Five homers fuel the offense
The Athletics continued piling on in the fifth.
Jonah Heim hit his 13th homer, a solo shot to center, to make it 6-2. Later in the inning, Jeff McNeil singled and stole second before Alika Williams launched a two-run homer.
Williams added an RBI double in the seventh, scoring McNeil for the final run. He finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Meanwhile, the production stretched throughout the lineup. All nine Athletics starters recorded a hit as the A’s finished with 14 overall.
Gelof went 2-for-5 with a homer and double, while McNeil added two hits and scored twice. Bolte, Gelof, Heim and Williams combined for five home runs.
Lawrence Butler also singled in the third, extending his hitting streak.
Lopez settles in
After the two early homers, Lopez kept Texas off the scoreboard over his final four innings.
The left-hander allowed six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven and earned his sixth victory.
Texas threatened in the third after Duran singled and Brandon Nimmo walked. However, Lopez retired Jake Burger on a fly ball to preserve the A’s 3-2 lead.
Later, Lopez worked around another Duran single in the fifth with a double play. He finished his outing with a scoreless sixth.
Geoff Hartlieb followed with two scoreless innings. Then Hogan Harris struck out two in a perfect ninth to complete the win.
Up next
The Athletics continue their road trip Thursday with the opener of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PT.
Right-hander Jack Perkins is scheduled to start for the A’s against Seattle left-hander Anderson.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
