(SportsNetwork.com) - Oakland's Jesse Hahn has a tough act to follow on Tuesday when the Athletics continue a three-game series with the Texas Rangers at the Coliseum.
Oakland nearly kicked off its season in historic fashion on Monday, as Sonny Gray came within six outs of throwing a no-hitter and the Athletics cruised to an 8-0 win versus the Rangers.
Gray (1-0) was seeking to become the second pitcher in MLB history to toss a no-hitter in the first game of the season, but Ryan Rua broke up the bid with a ground ball through the hole in right to start the eighth inning.
"I just tried to keep focus on making pitches," said Gray. "I'm glad that we could get this first win out of the way."
Cleveland legend and Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller threw the lone Opening Day no-hitter for the Indians against the White Sox on April 16, 1940.
The Oakland ace, who ended Texas' 2014 season with a 4-0 shutout, struck out three and walked one batter over eight phenomenal frames.
"You have to credit the guy who has the ball in his hand. It felt like Sonny threw the ball very well tonight," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said after his debut with the club.
Stephen Vogt crushed a three-run homer and Ben Zobrist cranked a two-run blast in his first at-bat with the Athletics, who ended an MLB-record streak of 10 consecutive Opening Day losses.
Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts in four-plus innings.
Now Oakland turns to Hahn, who was picked up as part of the deal this offseason that sent catcher Derek Norris to San Diego. Hahn endeared himself to his new team this spring, posting a 3.06 ERA in five outings.
Hahn made his big league debut for the Padres a year ago and was 7-4 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 games (12 starts). He won seven of his first nine decisions before going 0-2 with a 5.95 ERA over his final five games (3 starts).
Still, he tied for third among National League rookies in wins, ranked sixth in strikeouts (70), tied for ninth in games started and 10th in innings pitched (73 1/3).
This will be his first-ever start against the Rangers.
Texas, meanwhile, will hand the ball to Colby Lewis, who will try to put a shaky spring behind him. Lewis pitched to a 9.75 ERA with a 6/5 K/BB ratio in 12 Cactus League innings.
The 35-year-old righty, though, tied for the team lead in wins last season, but was just 10-14 with a 5.18 ERA in 29 starts after missing all of 2013 and most of 2012 with injuries to both his hip and elbow.
Seven of his wins came on the road.
Lewis is 8-4 with a 3.23 in 22 games (20 starts) versus the A's, including a 1-0 mark with 4.38 ERA in a pair of starts against them last season.
Texas was 10-9 versus the A's last season.
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