A's 8, Rangers 2
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Oakland third baseman Brett Lawrie drilled a grand slam in the first inning and the streaking Athletics never looked back Wednesday night in an 8-2 victory over the Texas Rangers.
Oakland (33-41) has won eight of its last 10 games and looks to sweep Texas in the finale of the three-game series Thursday at Globe Life Park. The A's are 19-11 since May 22.
Lawrie's third career bases-loaded homer -- his first with the A's -- highlighted a five-run first inning that effectively buried the Rangers. He finished with three hits.
Oakland catcher Josh Phegley added a two-run homer and first baseman Stephen Vogt returned to the lineup with three hits and two RBIs.
A's starter Kendall Graveman (4-4) cruised to victory, allowing two runs and eight hits. He went at least seven innings for the fourth consecutive game but was pulled after allowing the first two Rangers to reach in the eighth.
Texas (37-35) has lost its last four games, matching a season high. The Rangers are just 4-8 against the Athletics this season.
Oakland racked up 14 hits, giving the A's 26 hits and 16 runs in the first two games of the series. Center fielder Billy Burns also had three hits and scored twice.
Rangers starter Wandy Rodriguez (4-3) suffered through his roughest showing of the season. The soft-tossing left-hander gave up the most runs (eight) in his shortest outing (four innings).
The A's jumped on Rodriguez in the first inning, putting five runs on the board. Four came via Lawrie's two-out grand slam to center.
Rodriguez labored through the 28-pitch inning, walking two and giving up four hits. Three went for extra bases, including doubles from Burns and Vogt.
Burns, who doubled to lead off the second, extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games. He scored in both innings on hits by Vogt.
Phegley continued the barrage against Rodriguez in the second with a two-run shot to center to make it 8-0.
The Rangers got two runs back in the fifth on catcher Carlos Corporan's two-out double.
NOTES: Texas recalled OF Michael Choice from Triple-A Round Rock and optioned LHP Alex Claudio to make room on the roster. Choice has yet to make a major league appearance this season after opening 2014 in the Rangers' lineup. ... Oakland's Stephen Vogt returned to the lineup at first base after being out with an elbow injury. He's slated to catch Thursday's series finale. ... Texas announced the signing of two more picks from the draft: RHP DeMarcus Evans (25th round) and 2B Blaine Prescott (28th). The Rangers have 32 of the 40 players selected under contract. ... Oakland CF Billy Burns boosted his career-best hitting streak to 14 games.