Shea Langeliers gave the Texas Rangers cause for concern with his performance. Just weeks after hitting three homers in a game in Arlington, the Athletics catcher made history for the franchise by driving in eight runs during a doubleheader against the Rangers at the Coliseum.
The 26-year-old catcher, now ranked seventh for most home runs (9) in MLB, surpassed Reggie Jackson’s record for most RBI (8) in an A’s doubleheader.
Langeliers, a Texas native, was almost speechless when he heard about his achievement after the A’s lost 12-11 to the Rangers in the second game, following their win in the first.
“That’s unbelievable,” Langeliers told reporters. “I felt really comfortable at the plate today. I felt like I connected well with the pitches. It was one of those days where I managed to bring in some runs for the team. Overall, looking back on the day, it’s been quite a ride – both teams were really going at it.”
Langeliers reflects on breaking Reggie Jackson's record for most doubleheader RBI (8) in A's history ⬇ pic.twitter.com/75rjg5tHIk
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 9, 2024
Fueled by a three-run seventh inning, the A’s claimed victory in the first game of the doubleheader, winning 9-4. In a record-breaking display, Langeliers spearheaded Oakland’s offense by hitting a home run, a triple, and a double.
Langeliers was just a single away from achieving what no A’s player had done since Mark Ellis in 2007: hitting for the cycle.
LANGELIERS GOES BOOM 💥 pic.twitter.com/apFOUEdEe8
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 8, 2024
Following the doubleheader, while speaking to reporters, A’s manager Mark Kotsay commended Langeliers’ offensive improvement.
In just 34 games this season, Langeliers has racked up 24 RBI, which is more than a third of his total from last season (63).
“Shea was really dialed in during Game 1,” Kotsay said. “His offensive performance today deserves recognition. We’ve been talking about Shea’s progress at the plate, and I think it’s evident and continuing.
“He didn’t have the best start to the year, but today shows the result of him trusting the process and working with his hitting coach for over a month. We’re seeing the results now.”
Kotsay applauds Langeliers' noticeable offensive progress this season 👏 pic.twitter.com/jzt6B7raef
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 9, 2024
Like Langeliers, the A’s are on the rise. Kotsay and his team have won 6 out of their last 10 games and are now just four games behind the Rangers, who lead the AL West.
Given Langeliers’ recent dominance against the Rangers, there’s every reason to believe it will continue.
