Brad Miller single, replay, help Rangers edge A's 2-0

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Brad Miller hit a key single in the eighth inning that drove in two runs after a replay review initiated by the umpires, and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 2-0 on Saturday.

The winning rally started when Adolis Garcia and Willie Calhoun chased Frankie Montas (2-2) with consecutive one-out singles. After Domingo Acevedo retired pinch-hitter Jonah Heim on a groundout, Miller lined a 1-1 pitch to left.

Garcia scored easily but pinch-runner Eli White was thrown out at home by a strong throw from left fielder Tony Kemp.

“It was hard to tell because there was a lot of contact but I felt like I got my hand in there,” White said. “It was so bang-bang it was kind of hard to tell if he was blocking the plate.”

The Rangers lost an earlier challenge, so they could not appeal. But the umpires initiated a crew chief review and overturned the initial call, ruling A’s catcher Sean Murphy illegally blocked the plate.

“Tried to set up where I usually try to set up and then there’s a lot of things converging at one time,” Murphy said. “I was just trying to make a play on the ball and make the tag. I don’t think it was egregious. Obviously New York thought I violated the rule. Just one of those things when you’re trying to make a play on the ball.”

A’s manager Mark Kotsay protested in between innings and was ejected.

The play helped Texas clinch its first series win of the season after dropping its first four. The Rangers have won three straight games after losing five in a row.

Four Rangers pitchers combined on a three-hitter. Brock Burke (2-0) got three outs for the win, and Matt Bush pitched the ninth for his first save.

Montas was dominant before running into trouble in the eighth. He permitted...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Brad-Miller-single-replay-help-Rangers-edge-A-s-17122237.php