Josh Hamilton was considered an MVP candidate this season, but the only team he was helping on Wednesday was the Athletics.
Hamilton completely missed a Yoenis Cespedes fly ball with two outs in the fourth inning, allowing the A’s to score two runs to go up 7-5. Had Hamilton made the routine play, the game would have continued tied 5-5. Instead, Oakland added five extra runs as the game went on and won 12-5.
Not only did Hamilton commit a costly two-run error, but he also went just 1-for-5 with three strikeouts at the plate.
Texas was swept by the A’s in the three-game series and improbably blew a 13-game AL West lead over Oakland as of June 30. According to Elias Sports Bureau via ESPN, the Rangers set a record for spending the most days (178) in first place without winning the division.
If the Rangers lose the one-game playoff to the Orioles, a few less hearts will be broken if/when the Rangers decide to let Hamilton walk in free agency.
How could he miss that?
