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 "It's just fun to watch those guys hit," Graveman said of his
offensive teammates. "It helps relax to be able to have confidence
in throwing the fastball early in the count and try to get ahead of
people."
Third baseman Brett Lawrie drilled a grand slam in that first inning
and the streaking Athletics never looked back in an 8-2 victory over
the Texas Rangers.
Oakland (33-41) has won four straight, eight of its last 10 games
and looks to sweep Texas in the finale of the three-game series
Thursday at Globe Life Park. The A's are 19-11 since May 22.
Lawrie's third career bases-loaded homer -- his first with the A's
-- highlighted a five-run first inning that effectively buried the
Rangers. He finished with three hits.
Oakland catcher Josh Phegley added a two-run homer, his second in as
many nights, and first baseman Stephen Vogt returned to the lineup
with three hits and two RBIs.
Graveman (4-4) cruised to victory, allowing two runs and eight hits.
He went at least seven innings for the fourth consecutive game but
was pulled after allowing the first two Rangers to reach in the
eighth.
Graveman has been a different pitcher since being recalled from
Triple-A Nashville a month ago.
"It's the guy we saw in spring training," A's manager Bob Melvin
said. "He just needed a little break after a few starts and went
down there and made use of his time. Didn't go down there and hang
his head, was motivated to come back, pitched well there. Came back
and hasn't missed a beat."
Texas (37-35) lost its last four games, matching a season high. The
Rangers are just 4-8 against the Athletics this season.
Oakland racked up 14 hits, giving the A's 26 hits and 16 runs in the
first two games of the series. Center fielder Billy Burns also had
three hits and scored twice.
Rangers starter Wandy Rodriguez (4-3) suffered through his roughest
showing of the season. The soft-tossing left-hander gave up the most
runs (eight) in his shortest outing (four innings).
"He didn't seem to be able to find the range with the breaking ball
and they were on his fastball," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
"Tough night when you get down eight runs early like that, but tried
to get as much out of Wandy as we possibly good."
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Texas had won Rodriguez's last six starts.
"I can't do anything about it," Rodriguez said. "All I can do is in
the next outing do as well as I can and try to win."
The A's jumped on Rodriguez in the first inning, putting five runs
on the board. Four came via Lawrie's two-out grand slam to center.
Rodriguez labored through the 28-pitch inning, walking two and
giving up four hits. Three went for extra bases, including doubles
from Burns and Vogt.
Burns, who doubled to lead off the second, extended his career-best
hitting streak to 14 games. He scored in both innings on hits by
Vogt.
Phegley continued the barrage against Rodriguez in the second with a
two-run shot to center to make it 8-0.
"I had a big problem with my location today," Rodriguez said, "and
had a lot of breaking balls hanging and fastballs, too."
The Rangers got two runs back in the fifth on catcher Carlos
Corporan's two-out double.
NOTES: Texas recalled OF Michael Choice from Triple-A Round Rock and
optioned LHP Alex Claudio to make room on the roster. Choice made
his a major league appearance this season after opening 2014 in the
Rangers' lineup. ... Oakland's Stephen Vogt returned to the lineup
at first base after being out with an elbow injury. He's slated to
catch Thursday's series finale. ... Texas announced the signing of
two more picks from the draft: RHP DeMarcus Evans (25th round) and
2B Blaine Prescott (28th). The Rangers have 32 of the 40 players
selected under contract. ... Oakland CF Billy Burns boosted his
career-best hitting streak to 14 games. ... Second base umpire Dale
Scott left the game for several innings after being drilled by 3B
Brett Lawrie's line drive in the fourth.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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