Wednesday newsletter time: One key answer helps explain decision-making in Rangers’ loss in 12

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ARLINGTON — Where to start with that one …

Glenn Otto’s mental mistake in the fifth?

The inability to get a runner home from third with less than two outs in the 11th?

Steven Duggar batting in the 11th?

Where was Jonah Heim?

They were all pertinent late Tuesday in the aftermath of a 14-7 loss to Oakland in 12 innings.

That’s right: Oakland scored eight runs in the 12th.

“There’s tons of things to talk about,” manager Chris Woodward said. “We just didn’t get it done.”

First things first: Heim was not available, Woodward said, because of illness. That was all Woodward would say, so that might suggest that Heim has COVID symptoms and wasn’t even at the ballpark.

That’s why Woodward couldn’t use Heim to hit for Sam Huff with the potential winning run at second base with two outs in the ninth or for Dugger in the 11th with the winner at third base.

The end overshadowed a thrilling ninth and 10th inning for the Rangers, who entered each frame trailing but managed to tie the game. Included was a Corey Seager homer for the fifth straight game, this one leading off the ninth to cut a 5-3 deficit to 5-4. Kole Calhoun tied it with a pinch-hit single with two outs.

The Rangers found themselves in a two-run hole in part because of Otto’s ill-advised fifth-inning throw home that went to the backstop and allowed two runs to score.

The A’s had runners at second and third with one out, and the Rangers were playing the infield inning. Otto fielded a Seth Brown grounder and started to throw to first but heard yells to throw home. His throw was too late and too wide.

“He’s just got to be more aware there,” Woodward said.

The Rangers had their best chance in the 11th, when free runner Adolis Garcia reached third with one out. But he never advanced, with Calhoun and Duggar striking out between walks to Leody Taveras (two doubles) and Huff.

Woodward was most upset by using Dennis Santana for a second inning in the 12th. Santana lobbied for the inning and was the choice over Kolby Allard.

A tiring Santana didn’t pitch well, and Allard was worse.

Hernandez coming ‘soon’

Woodward played as coyly as he could when asked for an update on the Jonathan Hernandez situation.

The right-handed reliever is out of rehab time, so the Rangers have little choice but to reinstate him from the 60-day IL. They could option him to Triple A Round Rock, where he has been rehabbing, but it appears the Rangers will be adding him to the active roster.

“I think we’re going to get him back soon,” Woodward said.

The Rangers have an opening for Hernandez on the 40-man roster after catcher Mitch Garver landed there Monday following surgery on his flexor tendon. They don’t have an opening on the 26-man/active roster.

They should send out Allard and go with a bullpen game Friday. Allard has allowed nine runs the past two nights.

Kinsler scouting trip

Rangers Hall of Fame second baseman Ian Kinsler fulfilled a television obligation Monday morning and then hopped on a plane headed to Israel (via New York). He has a team to put together.

Kinsler will serve as manager for Team Israel at the 2023 World Cup. He received his Israeli citizenship in 2020 and played for Israel last year in the Tokyo Olympics. Kinsler will be a manager for the first time.

“The managing thing is going to be a little weird,” Kinsler said. “I’ve never done it, but I think I’m ready for it. It’s going to be a short-lived tournament, so it should be a lot of fun. I think we’re going to have a good team.”

He has stayed in baseball since retiring after the 2019 season. He gets a taste of the front-office side as a special assistant for the Padres, and being more critical of players took some getting used to.

But he’s enjoying it while also getting to spend a great deal of time with his family.

“I love baseball,” Kinsler said. “This is a passion of mine. I know it really well. It’s probably the only thing I can 100 percent say I have a grasp of.”

Doggy video!

I’m with you, brother. Enjoy. See you Thursday.

No, nope, won't eat vegetables! #funny #cute #dog #aww #vegetables pic.twitter.com/ghvIGBRzDr

— HeyYouILikeYourDog (@HYILYDog) April 20, 2018

Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com