A's outslug Rangers

Sep 15, 2007, 6:09 GMT

Oakland, CA - Daric Barton clubbed his first career home run and finished with three hits as Oakland outslugged Texas, 11-9, in the second test of a four-game series at McAfee Coliseum.

Nick Swisher also homered and Kurt Suzuki had a pair of hits, knocked in two runs and scored once for the A's, who have won four of their last five games.

Andrew Brown (3-2) earned the win, tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief after starter Dan Meyer was hammered for six runs on just five hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

Sammy Sosa belted a three-run homer -- the 608th long ball of his career -- and added a two-run single for Texas, which has dropped four straight.

The loss went to John Rheinecker (2-2), who allowed the go-ahead run in the sixth. Kason Gabbard lasted just four-plus innings in the start, yielding seven runs and five hits, while walking a career-high seven and fanning four.

The Rangers exploded for six runs in the third to take the lead, but it didn't hold. Ian Kinsler started things with a one-out walk, and back-to-back singles from Brad Wilkerson and Michael Young loaded the bases for Sosa, who knocked in a pair with his base hit to left. Marlon Byrd's single to right plated Young, and after Jason Botts struck out swinging, David Murphy walked to re- load the bases, chasing Meyer.

A walk from Colby Lewis to Travis Metcalf forced in a run to make it 4-0, and Gerald Laird's single to center scored Byrd and Murphy for the 6-0 lead.

Oakland cut it to 6-2 in the home half on Barton's two-out, two-run homer to right, then batted around and scored seven times in the fifth inning.

Shannon Stewart and Barton both singled, before three consecutive walks forced in a pair of runs, ending Gabbard's night on the mound. Jack Cust and Suzuki each ripped a base hit to knock in two more and Jack Hannahan reached on a fielder's choice, as Laird's throwing error allowed Cust and Suzuki to hustle home. Donnie Murphy's squeeze bunt scored Hannahan to make it 9-6 before Stewart grounded out to end the inning.

Sosa tied the game with a two-out, three run homer in the sixth, but the A's answered in their at-bat as Swisher's solo shot to left put Oakland up, 10-9, before Suzuki added an RBI single for a two-run cushion.

Oakland's bullpen was solid the rest of the way, and Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth to record his 16th save.

Game Notes

Sosa's homer was his first in Oakland in 17 years, with the last coming on September 18, 1990 for the Chicago White Sox. His five RBI also moved him into a tie with Frank Thomas (1,663) for 22nd on the all-time list...Young extended his hitting streak to 14 games...Swisher now has 97 walks, setting a new career high for a season.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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