ARLINGTON, Texas – Yohel Pozo made his major league debut with a three-run homer that led in the sixth inning, rookie DJ Peters hit a two-run homer and the Texas Rangers prevailed 8-6 on Friday night. the Oakland Athletics.
Pozo tried to hit the ball on all seven pitches he faced in the game, including one from veteran Mexican reliever Sergio Romo who sent over the net from the left-field foul post.
Pozo, 24, also had a first pitch single on his debut as a Major League Baseball player in the second episode.
Dennis Santana (2-2) was victorious despite conceding two runs in the sixth inning that put Oakland up 4-3.
Rookie Joe Barlow worked the ninth inning without being scored and scored his first major league save.
Pozo was called up on Friday from the Triple-A Round Rock team, where he was second in RBIs (63) in the Triple-A West, fourth in batting (.337) and fifth in home runs (19). Primarily a catcher, he played designated hitter for Texas and was eighth in the batting order on Friday.
Romo had not allowed a run in his previous 17 appearances.
Peters homered off the inside of the left-field foul pole in the seventh inning.
Cole Irvin (8-11) took the loss for Oakland, allowing five runs, three earned, in just over five innings.
For the Athletics, the Dominican Starling Marte 5-1, an produced. Brazilian Yan Gomes 4-1, one scored. The Venezuelan Elvis Andrus 4-0.
For the Rangers, the Cubans Adolis García 5-0, one scored, one RBI, and Andy Ibáñez 4-0, one scored. Venezuelan Yohel Pozo 4-2, one scored, three RBIs.
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