Rangers Dominate A's, Regain First Place - 10-1

Behind an excellent start from Derek Holland (above) along with a season-high five home runs, Texas whooped-up on Oakland Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

In his first start since Sept. 30, 2009, Derek Holland proved he is capable of being a part of the Texas Rangers' (19-15) starting rotation.

"Derek Holland did what we needed him to do," Manager Ron Washington said. "He was very aggressive out there. Then we put some runs on the board. He was able to command (his fastball) on both sides of the plate. There was nothing down the middle. When you can command your fastball that creates confidence."

Along with the fastball that devastated A's hitters, Holland used a slider with some great movement as his strike-out pitch - painting the corners as he rang up K after K.
For the game, Holland went six innings, scattering five hits and striking out seven in his first victory since Sept. 25, 2009. He struck out the side in the fourth inning and one inning later the Rangers began their long-ball barrage against the Oakland Athletics (18-16).

Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero hit back-to-back home-runs in the fifth inning and Michael Young and Max Ramirez both hit home-runs in the sixth as Texas jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Justin Smoak tacked on a two-run homer in the seventh as the Rangers won convincingly at home against the A's. It was the second time on the home-stand that Hamilton and Guerrero hit back-to-back jacks and each now hold a share of the team lead in homers with seven, along with the injured Nelson Cruz.

A's starter Gio Gonzalez lasted only four innings, giving up four runs on nine Rangers' hits.

"His overall stuff wasn't as crisp as it has been," A's Manager Bob Geren said.

Oakland's bullpen wasn't much better as three A's relievers combined to give up six runs on eight hits in four innings.

Texas takes on the A's tomorrow afternoon to close out the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

News and Notes:

• Josh Hamilton went 3 for 5 on the night, with a home-run and three RBI. In the month of May, Hamilton is batting .286 and has three homers and 10 RBI in 12 games. Hamilton had three homers and 11 RBI in the entire month of April (22 games).
• Michael Young went 3 for 4 for the game and has seen his batting average jump 40 points in the last 10 games from .250 to .290.
• Nelson Cruz is scheduled to return Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Manager Ron Washington.
• Texas has won five of their last six games and nine of 12 overall.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)