ARLINGTON, Texas — Scott Feldman has pitched better games and not gotten a win. The sometimes Rangers starter wasn't about to complain about giving up four runs in a 7-6 win over the A's Thursday.
Feldman lasted just five innings, officially. He was yanked after giving up back-to-back hits to start the sixth. By the time the three hour, 54 minute game was over, Feldman's appearance seemed like a day ago.
Yet Feldman wound up with the win, his second in a row after starting off 0-6.
"I'll take a win any way I can get it," Feldman said. "Tonight we obviously got down but they just battled back and the guys in the bullpen behind me did a tremendous job."
Feldman gave a 398-foot home run to Josh Reddick in the first inning. Then he gave up back-to-back homers to Derek Norris and Cliff Pennington in the third inning.
"Luckily they were all solo," Feldman said. "I think it was just a combination of them putting a good swing on it and me missing my spot."
The A's added another run in the third and took a 4-1 lead at that point.
"Those guys always battle me tough," said Feldman, who snapped a four-game personal losing streak to the A's. "They've always hit me pretty good. I really just tried to bear down and hold them there at four. Luckily we have a good offense and battled back and turned it around there."
The Rangers posted a run in the third, then rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to hand Feldman a 6-4 lead.
He promptly put the lead at risk by giving up hits to Brandon Inge and Brandon Moss, but rookie Tanner Scheppers relieved him and got the Rangers out of trouble.
"Scotty kept us in the ballgame," manager Ron Washington said. "They jumped out on us there 4-1 and he just kept us around, and kept us around, and finally we put something together. But he battled."
It's been a battle all season for Feldman to find solid footing. After being demoted to the bullpen, Feldman has been given another shot to prove himself as a starter with the injury to Colby Lewis. Feldman is slated to start again in Lewis' spot on July 4 at the White Sox.
"Right now, just getting that consistent work can do nothing but help," Feldman said. "Hopefully we can keep playing good baseball and just keep it going."
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
