Eovaldi Shines as Rangers Take Series Opener

Veteran pitcher delivers seven scoreless innings in win over Athletics

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher and batter, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like deep blue, crimson red, and golden yellow, capturing the energy and dynamism of the game.Eovaldi's resurgent outing against the Athletics showcases the Rangers' pitching depth as they navigate a challenging West Coast road trip.West Sacramento Today

Nathan Eovaldi, the veteran Texas Rangers pitcher, bounced back from a rough start to the season with a dominant performance, tossing seven scoreless innings in the team's 8-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. First baseman Jake Burger provided the offensive firepower with a pair of home runs to support Eovaldi's strong outing.

Why it matters

Eovaldi's early struggles had raised some concerns, but this outing shows he is regaining his form as the Rangers embark on a challenging West Coast road trip. The team will need Eovaldi to continue pitching well to keep pace in the competitive AL West division.

The details

Eovaldi allowed just three singles and did not let any runners reach third base during his seven innings of work. The performance came after he had given up 11 runs over his first 8 2/3 innings to start the season. Burger's two home runs provided the early offense, and the Rangers pulled away late to secure the series-opening victory.

  • Eovaldi had struggled in his first two starts of the 2026 season, allowing 11 runs over 8 2/3 innings.
  • This was Eovaldi's third start of the season, coming as the Rangers began a 10-game, 10-day West Coast road trip.

The players

Nathan Eovaldi

A veteran starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers who bounced back with a strong outing after a rough start to the 2026 season.

Jake Burger

The Rangers' first baseman who provided the offensive firepower with two home runs to support Eovaldi's pitching performance.

Oakland Athletics

The Rangers' opponent, a team that had been rolling with series wins over the New York Mets and Yankees in the past week before running into Eovaldi's dominant outing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Eovaldi is always looking to go deep into games, but within the midst of a 10-game, 10-day West Coast swing, it was even more important to keep the bullpen as fresh as possible.”

— Kennedi Landry, Reporter

What’s next

The Rangers will look to Eovaldi to continue his strong pitching as they continue their West Coast road trip, which includes series against the Athletics, Mariners, and Angels.

The takeaway

Eovaldi's dominant performance against the Athletics is a positive sign for the Rangers, who need their veteran pitcher to regain his form as they navigate a challenging stretch of their schedule on the West Coast.