A’s beat Rangers 2-1 behind Springs and Wilson

Jeffrey Springs kept rolling Tuesday night, and Jacob Wilson gave him just enough support.

The Athletics beat the Rangers 2-1 at Sutter Health Park behind 6 1/3 strong innings from Springs and a two-run single by Wilson in the third. With the win, the A’s moved into a tie for first place in the AL West with Texas, an early-season development that still says plenty about how well they have played through the season’s first 15 games.

The tone setter

Texas struck first, but Springs never let the inning get away.

Brandon Nimmo doubled to open the game, then Jake Burger lined a two-out RBI single to left for a quick 1-0 Rangers lead. Springs also walked Sam Haggerty in the inning, but that was the only real damage Texas managed against him early.

After that, he settled in. Springs worked 6 1/3 innings, allowed three hits, one run and two walks, and struck out five. He kept the Rangers from putting together another breakthrough inning and lowered his ERA to 1.46 while improving to 3-0.

That has become the pattern with him. Even when trouble shows up early, he keeps the game under control.

The swing that held up

The Athletics answered in the third, and they did it with two outs.

Denzel Clarke doubled to right, Shea Langeliers walked and Nick Kurtz followed with another free pass to load the bases. Wilson then lined a single to left, scoring Clarke and Langeliers for a 2-1 lead.

That was the only hit the A’s got with runners in scoring position all night. It was also the only one they needed.

They had chances to add on. In the fourth, Max Muncy and Austin Wynns walked, Zack Gelof moved both runners over with a bunt, and Jeff McNeil reached on a fielder’s choice that cut down Muncy at the plate. Later, the A’s left runners on in the fifth and seventh. Still, Wilson’s hit held up because the pitching never cracked.

Arms finish what Springs started

The bullpen had to work for the final eight outs, and it did.

Justin Sterner entered in the seventh after Josh Jung doubled with one out and struck out Andrew McCutchen before getting Danny Jansen on a groundout. Hogan Harris ran into trouble in the eighth with back-to-back walks, but Elvis Alvarado came in and got Burger to line out, leaving both runners stranded.