Rangers 6, Athletics 0
Derek Holland bounced back from the shortest start of his career to throw a four-hit shutout and Josh Hamilton drove in four runs to lead the Texas Rangers to a 6-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series at Rangers Ballpark.
Holland (7-4) lasted only two-thirds of an inning in his last start, but he struck out seven in his third career shutout and his second of the season.
The Athletics have scored two or fewer runs in 11 of their past 15 games. Kurt Suzuki had two of Oakland's hits, all of which were singles.
Michael Young hit a solo home run in the fifth inning for Texas, surpassing Rafael Palmeiro as the franchise's all-time leader in runs scored with 959.
Athletics starter Rich Harden (1-1) took the loss in his second start of the season. He allowed five runs over five innings.
Oakland's Josh Willingham went 1-for-4 in his first game since June 17 because of a strained left Achilles’ tendon.