The Texas Rangers will have to wait another night to clinch a playoff berth as they were edged out by the Oakland Athletics in extra innings on Tuesday night, 3-2.
Athletics catcher George Kottaras, facing Texas reliever Mark Lowe, homered to lead off the top of the 10th inning and give Oakland the deciding advantage. Reliever Grant Balfour pitched a perfect bottom of the frame to earn his 21st save of the season.
Josh Hamilton knocked a two-RBI single to right field in the first inning to give Texas the early lead off of Athletics starter Tommy Milone, who ended up lasting six innings while only allowing the two runs, which were unearned due to a throwing error by right fielder Brandon Moss on the play, which left Hamilton on third base.
Oakland would respond against the Rangers' spot-starter Scott Feldman -- who filled in for Yu Darvish who was scratched on Tuesday due to a neck issue -- in the second as first baseman Daric Barton drove in Moss on a double to right field. Chris Carter, the Athletics' designated hitter, tied the contest at 2 in the fourth inning when he launched his 16th home run of the season.
Feldman would pitch through four innings, giving up four hits and only the two earned runs.
The teams will meet for the third game of their four-game series Wednesday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.