Rangers 8, Athletics 7
Nelson Cruz homered twice and drove in four runs while A.J. Pierzynski added a blast and three RBIs as Texas snapped a six-game losing streak by winning the opener of the four-game series.
Cruz’s two-run shot off Jesse Chavez (1-1) in the fifth inning put Texas ahead to stay. He added a run-scoring double in the seventh as the Rangers moved within two games of first-place Oakland in the American League West.
Neal Cotts (3-1) pitched 2 1/3 perfect innings and Joe Nathan allowed a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Coco Crisp in the ninth before retiring Derek Norris on a pop-up for his 21st save in 22 opportunities.
The Athletics scored six runs in the fourth inning to erase a 3-0 deficit. Brandon Moss hit an RBI single and Seth Smith delivered a tying two-run base hit before ensuing runs scored on Jed Lowrie’s double, Eric Sogard’s sacrifice fly and Crisp’s single.
Cruz hit a one-out homer in the bottom of the fourth to pull Texas within 6-4. Pierzynski, who belted a two-run shot in the second, smacked an RBI double in the fifth before Cruz hit the go-ahead shot to center.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The multi-homer effort was Cruz’s first since June 23, 2012 and the 10th of his career. … Oakland starter Dan Straily allowed six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings while losing for the first time since May 15, when he also fell to the Rangers. … Texas starter Nick Tepesch yielded six runs and six hits in 3 2/3 frames.