OAKLAND, Calif. - Rangers manager Jeff Banister on Wednesday found a way to kick-start a lineup that had been blanked in the previous two games.
Put the really big kid in center.
Joey Gallo, listed at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, made his third career start in center as the Rangers ended a six-game losing streak to Oakland with a 4-2 win at The Coliseum. The switch brought the lineup back to life.
With Gallo in center, Banister was able to wedge Shin-Soo Choo and Adrian Beltre into the lineup together. Choo, who started in left, homered on the game’s first pitch.