Rooker doubles his fun with 2 HRs as A's roll in Texas
ARLINGTON -- Despite posting strong offensive numbers across the board, Brent Rooker was not selected to this year’s All-Star Game, something many across baseball -- especially those inside the A’s clubhouse -- viewed as a snub.
Playing his first game back at Globe Life Field -- the site of this year’s Midsummer Classic -- since the perceived slight, Rooker delivered an All-Star type of performance on Friday night.
Opening up a three-game series against the Rangers, Rooker added to his ongoing career-best year by slugging his 32nd and 33rd home runs in Oakland’s 9-2 victory over Texas.
At this pace, Rooker stands a chance to reach 40 home runs, something no A’s player has done since Khris Davis bashed 48 homers in 2018, capping a stretch of three consecutive seasons with at least 40 big flies for the slugger.
Coming off a potent display in Cincinnati in which they tied a franchise record for most home runs in a three-game series with 11, the A’s continued flexing that power with four long balls on Friday. In addition to Rooker’s double-dip, JJ Bleday launched his 20th homer in the third, while Shea Langeliers set a new career high with his 23rd home run in the ninth.