Rangers take two of three in Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Nelson Cruz and Mitch Moreland supplied the home run power, and left-hander Derek Holland provided the shut-down pitching Sunday as the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland A's 4-0 at the O.co Coliseum.
Texas cut Oakland's lead in the American League West to 2 1/2 games by winning twice in the three-game weekend series.
"This was a huge game for us," Holland said. "Any way to gain some ground against Oakland is huge. They've been in first place for a reason, and we're coming right behind them for a reason, too."
Cruz hit a solo shot in the second inning, and Moreland launched a two-run homer in the seventh. Both home runs came off A's right-hander A.J. Griffin, who has allowed 28 home runs this season, the most in the majors.
Holland (9-6) blanked the A's for eight innings on four hits, all singles. He struck out 10, tying his season high, and walked two. Holland improved to 5-1 for his career against Oakland. He also won his sixth straight road decision and improved to 7-1 overall in road games.
"The story was Derek Holland today, what he did," Moreland said. "You know, eight innings. Just really dominated the game from the first pitch. It was a lot of fun to play behind him. He carried us through it today."
Texas' Ron Washington became the winningest manager in franchise history with his 582nd victory, snapping a tie with Bobby Valentine. His win total ranks fourth among all major league managers since 2007. He got his record-setting victory against the team with which he spent 11 seasons as a coach.
"It means a lot to me," Washington said of the record. "I came in here as a novice, a guy that had never managed at the major league level before. And in seven years I become the winningest manager in Texas Rangers history. It does mean a lot.
"But anytime you're successful in life, there's always other people that help you get there. The organization gave me a chance, they supplied me with the players. My coaches handed out the mandate that I wanted and the way we wanted to play the game. The players bought into it, and we're winning ballgames. As the manager, you only win because the players play well. I'm only as good as they are."
Griffin (10-8) allowed four runs (three earned) while striking out seven and walking one over 6 2/3 innings. He has allowed 10 home runs over his past four starts, at least two in each of those outings.
"It's just two pitches every game," Griffin said. "I feel like I pitched real well all game, but that's the way it goes."
The Rangers capitalized on an error by A's left fielder Yoenis Cespedes to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Ian Kinsler sent a fly ball to deep left field that Cespedes tracked down, but the ball bounced off his glove for a two-base error.
Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre made the A's pay, lining an RBI single to left field.
Cruz extended Texas' lead to 2-0 in the second inning with a leadoff home run, his team-high 27th blast of the season. Griffin fell behind 1-0 in the count, and Cruz drilled his next pitch over the left field wall.
In the seventh, Craig Gentry singled with two outs, and Moreland followed with his 16th home run of the season.
"The big one, really, was the two-run homer," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "(Griffin) pitched well enough to keep us in the game. We just didn't do much offensively
"That's the best I've seen Holland pitch in quite a while. The inside zone was there for him, which made the changeup really tough to deal with when you feel you have to cover the inside."
NOTES: Cruz said he hasn't decided whether he'll appeal if he is suspended Monday by Major League Baseball in connection to its investigation into Biogenesis, the South Florida clinic that allegedly distributed banned performance-enhancing drugs to a number of players. "Tomorrow it's going to happen," Cruz said before Sunday's game. "Whatever my decision is going to be, I haven't decided what it's going to be." ... Rangers SS Elvis Andrus went 0-for-4, snapping his 16-game hitting streak. ... A's C Stephen Vogt passed his concussion tests and was cleared to play Sunday, but he did not get into the game. He was struck in the head Saturday with a bat when the Rangers' Jurickson Profar swung and followed through too far. ... A's C John Jaso (concussion) continues to improve but has yet to resume baseball activities, Melvin said. Jaso has been on the disabled list since July 25.
