Rangers double up A's 10-5 in 1st game of split doubleheader

Tim Federowicz homered in his first big league game this season, Nomar Mazara also went deep and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 10-5 in the opener of a day-night doubleheader Saturday.

Jeffrey Springs (4-1) worked three innings in relief of starter Joe Palumbo, the lefty who went four innings in his big league debut after being recalled from Double-A Frisco.

Texas went ahead to stay with a three-run first off Paul Blackburn (0-1), who was called up as Oakland's 26th player for the doubleheader after being in Triple-A Las Vegas all season. The right-hander gave up five runs in three innings.

Texas Rangers' Nomar Mazara, right, is congratulated by Elvis Andrus (1) after hitting a two-run home run that scored Andrus off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn during the third inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

Matt Olson and Josh Phegley homered for the A's. Phegley also had a two-run double, on the first pitch he faced in the fourth when taking over with a 2-2 count after catcher Nick Hundley left the game.

Mazara's two-run homer in the third, his ninth of the season, put Texas up 5-0. He also had a sacrifice fly in the first before Asdrúbal Cabrera's two-run single.

Federowicz, the catcher who had been with Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, was acquired in a trade Friday and added to the Rangers roster after Isiah Kiner-Falefa was put on the 10-day injured list. His three-run homer in the fifth was his ninth career homer, in 135 games over seven seasons and now with his sixth team. He also had a double and walked.

Texas Rangers' Elvis Andrus connects for a double off of Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Dull as catcher Josh Phegley and home plate umpire Brian Knight look on during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

Palumbo struck out four without a walk while allowing four runs and six hits.

Phillips Valdez, the third Rangers pitcher, also made his major league debut with two scoreless innings after being added as their 26th player. The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in 214 minor league games over 10 seasons.

LOT OF ACTION

Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano, center, and Chad Pinder, right, celebrate after scoring on a pinch hit double by Josh Phegley as Marcus Semien (10) looks on during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

The doubleheader was needed to make up for a game rained out on April 13. By the end of the series finale Sunday afternoon, the A's and Rangers will have played four games in a 48-hour span.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: Hundley left in the middle of an at-bat in the fourth because of back spasms. Phegley doubled on the next pitch, then stayed in the game as the catcher.

Texas Rangers' Hunter Pence is waved home by third base coach Tony Beasley (37) on his way to scoring on a single by Asdrubal Cabrera off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn during the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Elvis Andrus also scored on the play. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

Rangers: Shin-Soo Choo had a hard time swinging Friday, when he missed his second game in a row since being hit on his left hand by a pitch Wednesday. He felt better Saturday when he was hitting before the game, and convinced manager Chris Woodward to let him play. Choo struck out three times, but also walked twice and scored both times.

UP NEXT

The second game of the doubleheader on Saturday night, when the Rangers retire the No. 29 jersey that was worn by third baseman Adrian Beltre in a pregame ceremony.

Texas Rangers' Hunter Pence (24) scores on a single by Asdrubal Cabrera off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn as catcher Nick Hundley receives the late throw during the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Elvis Andrus also scored on the play. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) walks off the field after giving up 3 runs against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Joe Palumbo, making his major league debut, works against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

Texas Rangers' Nomar Mazara connects on a sacrifice fly off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn that scored Shin-Soo Choo during the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP PhotoJeffrey McWhorter)

The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?

Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.

Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.

“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”

Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.

By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.

Slot said Salah was a threat all game.

“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.

Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.

It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.

There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.

However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”

“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”

Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

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Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)