Athletics 5, Rangers 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Oakland rookie left-hander Sean Nolin notched his first career win by holding Texas to one run in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-3 victory.
Nolin (1-1), who was acquired from Toronto on the offseason as part of the Josh Donaldson trade, struck out five and gave up just five hits in his fourth career outing.
The Rangers dropped to 5-9 on the season against the last-place Athletics.
Nolin allowed a solo homer to Texas first baseman Mike Napoli in the second inning that put the Rangers up 1-0. He didn't give up another run and got some big offensive support in the fifth inning.
Texas right-hander Yovani Gallardo (12-10) allowed just two hits in the first four innings but didn't make it out of the fifth. Five-consecutive Oakland batters had hits off Gallardo, with left-fielder Mark Canha providing the big blow with a three-run homer.
Two batters later third baseman Danny Valencia cranked a two-run homer to left as Gallardo failed to make it past the sixth inning for the 14th-consecutive start. Gallardo also allowed two home runs in a start for the first time since New York homered off him twice on July 30.
The Rangers made things interesting in the ninth off Oakland closer Sean Doolittle. Designated hitter Prince Fielder hit a two-run double to left to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs. But Doolittle struck out Napoli to end the game.
Oakland right fielder Josh Reddick had three hits. Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus set a career high with three doubles.
After getting just two hits against Rangers starter Gallardo in the first four innings, the Athletics teed off on him in the fifth and scored five times.
NOTES: Texas recalled OF Ryan Rua from Triple-A Round Rock and inserted him into the lineup. He was the fifth starting left fielder for the Rangers in the last eight games. ... Texas OF Leonys Martin, who had surgery on his right hand Aug. 26, is still hopeful he can return this season as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement. Martin still has four stitches in the hand after surgery to repair a broken hamate bone. ... Oakland OF Billy Burns was out of the lineup for a second straight day with right hamstring tightness. Burns isn't expected to play Sunday either. ... Texas RHP Colby Lewis' shutout on Friday came after a shutout by LHP Derek Holland in the club's last home game. It marked the first time that the Rangers have had consecutive shutouts at Globe Life Park. ... Oakland's streak of homering in consecutive games was snapped at 15 in a 4-0 loss to Texas on Friday. The mark was tied for longest in the majors this year (Colorado).