OAKLAND — Matt Olson just needed one at-bat to play a starring role for the A’s in their game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Coming on as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, Olson went the opposite way for his 25th home run of the season to help lead the A’s to a wild 8-6 win over the Rangers before an announced crowd of 20,504 at the Coliseum.
Olson began the game on the bench as Mark Canha started Saturday at first base. Pinch-hitting for Canha, Olson, who has now played in all 143 A’s games this season, took a one-strike changeup from Chris Martin over the left field fence for a one-run Oakland lead.