ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mazara had consecutive two-RBI hits as the Texas Rangers rallied earlier this time, beating the Oakland Athletics 6-5 on Saturday night for their season-best fifth straight victory.
The Rangers loaded the bases in the seventh when reliever Ryan Dull (1-2) allowed a hit and two walks before Liam Hendriks took over on the mound.
Andrus then grounded a single through the left side of the infield to tie it at 4. Mazara followed by lining a two-run double over left fielder Khris Davis and to the wall.
Texas had won 5-2 each of the previous two nights, scoring four runs in the ninth inning capped by three-run homers both times. Mike Napoli’s game-ending homer beat San Diego on Thursday night, and Joey Gallo’s blast won the series opener against Oakland on Friday night.
The Rangers matched AL West-leading Houston for the longest current winning streak in the majors.
Tony Barnette (1-0) got the latest win despite allowing three hits and a run in one inning. Keona Kela gave up a run in the eighth before Matt Bush struck out two in a perfect ninth for his third save in four chances.
Yonder Alonso hit his 12th homer in the eighth for Oakland to extend his career high. Matt Joyce’s two-run single in the fifth put the A’s up 3-2, though he was thrown out trying to get back to first base after a wide turn.
A’s starter Sonny Gray allowed two runs over six innings. He left with a 3-2 lead in his attempt to make it seven wins in his seventh career road start against the Rangers.
Nick Martinez is winless in 11 consecutive starts since his victory last Aug. 5 against Houston. Martinez gave up three runs in six innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: Reliever Sean Doolittle, out since April 30 with a strained left shoulder, is only doing strengthening work. He hasn’t yet progressed to any kind of throwing motions yet.
Rangers: RHP Tyson Ross (thoracic outlet syndrome) threw three innings in a rehab start at extended spring training in Arizona. He allowed three hits and one earned run while throwing 45 pitches. … 3B Adrian Beltre, on the DL all season with right calf tightness, took some grounders going laterally in both directions.
UP NEXT
Athletics: When Kendall Graveman pitched at Texas the first week of the season, the righty held the Rangers without a hit until Napoli’s two-out solo homer in the seventh inning. Graveman, then 2-0, is since 0-2 with a 4.65 ERA in last four starts.
Rangers: A.J. Griffin (4-0) has won four consecutive starts, matching the longest streak in his career. He has a 1.38 ERA in that span, including a four-hit shutout in his hometown of San Diego last Tuesday.
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