Davis homers again as A's sweep Rangers
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland A's completed their first home sweep of the season with an 8-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday to cap a three-game series at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Athletics' previous sweeps came on the road against the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees. Oakland swept a series of three or more games at the Coliseum for the first time since taking four in a row against the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2014.
Oakland left fielder Khris Davis, the hero Tuesday night's win with a walk-off grand slam, hit another homer and was 2-for-2 with a two walks and two runs. That makes four home runs in two games for Davis, who has 12 on the year.
A's left-hander Rich Hill (6-3) went six innings, allowing one run on three hits and one walk. He struck out six. Texas' lone run came the sixth inning on a two-out single to left by Prince Fielder that scored Ian Desmond, who walked and easily stole second without a throw.
The Rangers were swept for the second time this year. They lost a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox in April.
Texas left-handed starter Martin Perez struggled early on, yielding three runs in the first inning, he settled in quite nicely. He retired 13 of 15 batters from the second to the sixth inning. Perez (1-4) went seven innings, allowed four runs and eight hits, walked two and struck out three.
However, his first inning struggles set the tone.
With one out, Billy Burns singled and Josh Reddick reached on a walk. Then the A's did something unconventional for them, as Burns and Reddick advanced on a double steal. That set the stage for the hot-hitting Danny Valencia, who singled in Burns and Reddick. Valencia came around on a two-out single by Marcus Semien.
Valencia finished 3-for-4 with a two RBIs and two runs.
The A's (19-22) added plenty of insurance with a four-run eighth inning that included a Semien RBI single.
The Rangers (22-19) managed only four hits, two of them by Desmond.
NOTES: Athletics RHP Henderson Alvarez had an MRI on his shoulder, and results were inconclusive. The team is seeking a second opinion by Dr. James Andrews. There is no timetable for Alvarez's return. ... Oakland INF Jed Lowrie (shin) is likely to play one or two rehab games before coming off the disabled list May 25. ... The A's have 11 players on the DL, the most at one time since 1989. ... Texas SS Elvis Andrus was back in the starting lineup after serving a one-game suspension related to the Rangers-Blue Jays brawl Sunday. ... After giving up a two-out, game-winning grand slam Tuesday night, Rangers RHP Shawn Tolleson was relieved of the closer role in favor of Sam Dyson, who had been the setup man. It was Tolleson's third blown save in his (ast five opportunities.