Offense Breaks Out - Rangers Close Out A's 7-4

Micheal Young went 4 for 4, scoring three runs, as the Rangers' offense snapped a week-long slump - taking the series against Oakland 2 to 1. (AP Photo/Cody Duty)

After scoring only four runs in the last 19 innings combined, the Texas Rangers (60-42) matched that total Thursday night by the sixth inning in winning it's 60th game of the season. The Oakland Athletics' (51-50) pitching staff had dominated the series up to this point, but the Rangers' offense broke out in a big way - totaling seven runs on 14 hits.

"It's great to see everybody contribute," David Murphy said.

Murphy did his part, hitting a 431 foot homer in the sixth inning that landed behind the right field bleachers, near the concession stands. The homer gave Texas a bit of a cushion at 5-3 and, two batters later, Taylor Teagarden notched only his second hit all season - a two-run homer, also over the right field wall - putting the game away for the Rangers.

Texas lit up A's starter Vin Mazzaro (L, 6-3) to the tune of seven runs on 12 hits in only 5 1-3 innings, increasing his ERA from 3.45 to 4.04 for the season. The only Ranger without a hit Thursday night was Elvis Andrus. All eight other batters had at least one hit, with Micheal Young (4 for 4) and Josh Hamilton (3 for 4) leading the way.

It was a good thing the offense came around because Rangers' starter C.J. Wilson (W, 10-4) didn't have his best stuff on this night. Wilson pitched wildly all game, walking two batters and hitting another in 5 2-3 innings, but was able to limit the damage. The Rangers' lefty became the first pitcher on the staff to 10 wins, giving up three earned on seven hits and striking out five for the game.

The Rangers showed this series (yet again) the ability to win games even when the offense isn't necessarily at it's best. It was the perfect time for the lineup to start hitting again, especially with Wilson struggling early. Texas has now won all four series since the All-Star break.

Now Texas travels to the west coast to take on the Angels for a three-game set in Anaheim. Tommy Hunter (8-0, 2.31 ERA) will start on four days rest for Texas and Ervin Santana (9-7, 3.55), who shut down the Rangers offense in eight innings - allowing only two earned runs and striking out eight - less than a week ago, will get the start for L.A.

First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m Friday night.

News and Notes:

• With the arrival of Jorge Cantu by trade yesterday, Chris Davis was optioned to Triple-A and Mitch Moreland was called up and made the start Thursday night. Moreland went 2 for 4 in his first Major League start and got a shaving-cream pie in the face after the game.
• Texas now has an 8.5 game lead on the Oakland A's in the American League West and a 9 game lead on the L.A. Angels.
• Vladimir Guerrero went 1 for 4 and knocked in two runs for the Rangers. Guerrero now had four RBI in the series against the A's after a nine-game RBI drought.

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