Wilson’s 2-run single leads Athletics to 2-1 win

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jacob Wilson hit a two-run single and made a nice defensive play at shortstop, helping the Athletics to a 2-1 win over Texas on Tuesday night that ended a seven-game losing streak against the Rangers.

The A’s have won six of seven after a 3-7 start and have four one-run wins in their last seven games.

Jeffrey Springs (3-0) allowed one run and five hits over 6⅓ innings with five strikeouts. Mark Leiter Jr. struck out two in a perfect ninth for his second save, finishing a four-hitter.

Brandon Nimmo doubled leading off the first and scored on Jake Burger’s single.

Denzel Clarke hit a two-out double in the third against MacKenzie Gore (2-1), who walked consecutive batters before Wilson’s single.

Wilson made a diving stop on Andrew McCutchen’s grounder up the middle in the second, spun and made an off-balance throw to first for the out while falling on the outfield grass.

Gore (2-1) gave up three hits in 4⅔ innings and walked six, matching his career high.

Clarke made a leaping catch at the center-field wall to rob McCutchen of a home run in the fourth.

Rangers’ Curvelo hurt

Texas reliever Luis Curvelo appeared to injure his throwing arm while delivering a wild pitch in the seventh inning.

Curvelo’s pitch to right-handed batter Jacob Wilson sailed well left of the left-handed batter’s box and to the backstop.

As the 25-year-old Venezuelan righty released the ball, he skipped off the mound in apparent pain, pulled his left hand immediately out of his glove and waved at the dugout in an apparent signal for a trainer while letting his glove drop to the ground.

Curvelo did not throw another pitch and was replaced by Tyler Alexander.

The Rangers did not immediately provide an injury update.

When a trainer arrived at the mound, Curvelo briefly touched his upper right arm with his left hand before walking to the dugout with a pained expression on his face.

Curvelo, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on April 5, faced only Wilson while appearing in his fourth game this season.

In his previous three appearances for the Rangers this season, Curvelo had allowed six hits and three earned runs in five innings while also striking out three batters.

Up next

Texas RHP Kumar Rocker (0-1, 4.50 ERA) starts Wednesday against Athletics RHP J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.27), who makes his second start of the season.