Rangers 8, Athletics 3
Nelson Cruz and Jurickson Profar each slammed two-run homers to power visiting Texas to its fifth straight victory in the opener of a three-game series.
A.J. Pierzynski added two hits and drove in three runs as the Rangers handed Oakland its third straight defeat and cut its lead atop the American League West to 2 1/2 games.
Elvis Andrus extended his hitting streak to 15 games with two hits and two runs scored to help Texas overcome a dismal start from Alexi Ogando, who lasted four innings and allowed three runs while throwing 92 pitches. Jason Frasor (2-2), the third of five relievers, worked 1 1/3 perfect innings for the win.
Athletics left-hander Tommy Milone (9-9) was rocked for six runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings to fall to 0-4 lifetime in five starts against the Rangers. Brandon Moss had two hits and a two-run double for Oakland, which has dropped three straight for the first time since a five-game skid in early May.
Moss drove in a pair of runs in the first inning to stake Milone to a 2-0 lead, but Texas answered with two runs in each of the next three innings. Cruz, who could be suspended Monday due to his alleged involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, launched his 26th homer in the second and Profar hit his fourth in the fourth inning for a 6-2 lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pierzynski had an RBI single in the third and a two-run single in the seventh to make him 8-for-21 with two homers and seven RBIs in his last five games. ... Athletics CF Coco Crisp had an RBI double in the fourth inning, but is only 1-for-20 in his last five games. ... Texas claimed INF Adam Rosales off waivers from Oakland on Friday and optioned CF Engel Beltre to Triple-A Round Rock. Rosales was designated for assignment Wednesday.