Rangers Take Series At Oakland

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OAKLAND, Calif. — Nelson Cruz and Mitch Moreland supplied the home run power, and left-hander Derek Holland provided the shut-down pitching Sunday as the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland A’s 4-0 at the O.co Coliseum.

The Rangers cut Oakland’s lead in the American League West to 2 1/2 games and won their three-game series, taking two of three games.

Rangers manager Ron Washington became the winningest manager in franchise history Sunday with his 582nd victory, snapping a tie with Bobby Valentine. His win total ranks fourth among all major-league managers since 2007.

Cruz hit a solo shot in the second inning, and Moreland launched a two-run homer in the seventh. Both home runs came off A’s right-hander A.J. Griffin, who has allowed 28 home runs this season, the most in the majors.

Holland (9-6) blanked the A’s for eight innings on four hits, all singles. He struck out 10, tying his season high, and walked two. Holland improved to 5-1 for his career against Oakland. He also

won his sixth straight decision on the road and improved to 7-1 overall in road games.

Griffin (10-8) allowed four runs, all but one earned, while striking out seven and walking one over 6 2/3 innings. He has allowed 10 home runs over his past four starts, at least two in each of those outings.

The Rangers capitalized on an error by A’s left fielder Yoenis Cespedes to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With two outs, second baseman Ian Kinsler sent a fly ball to deep left field that Cespedes tracked down, but the ball bounced off his glove for a two-base error.

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre made the A’s pay for that defensive mistake, lining an RBI single to left field.

Cruz extended Texas’ lead to 2-0 in the second inning with a leadoff home run, his team-high 27th blast of the season. Griffin fell behind 1-0 in the count, and Cruz drilled his next pitch over the left-field wall.

In the seventh, Craig Gentry singled with two outs, and Moreland followed with his 16th home run of the season.

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