(Sports Network) – Michael Young and David Murphy each knocked in two runs as Texas topped Oakland, 7-3, in the opener of a three-game series.
Josh Hamilton added three hits and an RBI while Elvis Andrus and Vladimir Guerrero knocked in a run each for the Rangers, who have won five of their last six.
Tommy Hunter (11-2) worked 7 2/3 innings, yielding seven hits and three runs to win his third in four decisions.
Kevin Kouzmanoff launched a two-run shot for the Athletics, who have lost two in a row.
Brett Anderson (3-5) departed after two innings with a hyperextended right knee but not before taking the loss by allowing six hits and four runs with a pair of walks.
Texas tallied three times in the first on an RBI single from Guerrero and a two-run double by Murphy.
It was 4-0 in the second on a run-scoring base hit from Andrus. Andres Blanco began the frame with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and then went to third as Julio Borbon also singled.
Blanco started the fourth with a base hit, then Borbon also singled. Both advanced on an Andrus sacrifice bunt then Young doubled to plate both for a 6-0 game. Hamilton followed with a single to score Young and cap the rally.
Jack Cust doubled with two down in the sixth and scored on Kouzmanoff’s two- run homer which got Oakland on the board.
Daric Barton added a solo shot in the eighth for a 7-3 game. Hunter was finally pulled after issuing a two-out walk to Cust, then Frank Francisco retired Kouzmanoff on a fly to left to end the eighth.
Francisco and Neftali Feliz combined to hold the Rangers off the board in the ninth despite a walk and base hit.
Game Notes
Texas has taken a 7-6 lead in the season series…Blanco and Borbon also ended with three hits for the Rangers…Kurt Suzuki and Ra jai Davis both collected two hits for Oakland…The Rangers upped their streak to 72 straight games scoring at least one run at home.