Manager Bob Melvin is a bit perplexed by all of Oakland’s ups and downs.
A strong road trip followed by a three-game sweep at home. Defensive blunders that cost his club games. A comeback that almost was against the reigning AL champions.
David Murphy hit a tiebreaking RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Texas Rangers survived after blowing a six-run lead to beat the A’s 7-6 on Sunday and complete a three-game series sweep.
Mike Adams (1-1) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for the victory, then Neftali Feliz finished for his 23rd save in 29 chances as the Rangers won their fourth straight road game heading into a key four-game series with the Angels in Anaheim.
Late lineup addition and newcomer Brandon Allen had three hits for Oakland, which lost its third straight on the heels of a 4-2 road trip.
The finale was considered an improvement, though, after the A’s lost 9-1 on Friday and 7-1 on Saturday.
“In our dugout, the feeling was that we were going to win that game, no question, once we tied it up,” Melvin said. “So the mojo kind of turned for us a bit. … They took it to us, obviously and beat us. And we didn’t respond very well during those (first two) games. To be able to come back and do what we did today kind of in the face of all of what I’ve been talking about was a good sign.”
Mitch Moreland hit a sacrifice fly, Michael Young and Mike Napoli each drew bases-loaded walks against former Ranger Rich Harden and first-place Texas extended its winning streak in the rivalry to eight games. The Rangers (69-52) also moved a season-best 17 games over .500.
Andrew Bailey (0-3) issued a one-out walk to Moreland in the ninth. Craig Gentry came in to run for Moreland and stole second on a 1-2 count to put himself in good position on Murphy’s single to center.
“I can’t put a guy on in that situation,” Bailey said.
This marks the A’s longest skid against the Rangers since dropping nine in a row from June 19-Sept. 30, 1986. Texas outscored Oakland 23-8 in the series — and did so without a single home run. The Rangers left a man on base every inning Sunday.
Hideki Matsui hit a tying RBI single in the sixth after he was brushed back twice by Texas reliever Darren Oliver, once even going to the ground to get out of the way.
A day after the A’s committed four errors — a defensive showing Melvin thought was “embarrassing” — they had another costly miscue. Right fielder David DeJesus dropped a routine fly ball by Ian Kinsler in the fifth, allowing two runs to score.
In the bottom half, Kinsler misplayed a bouncing grounder to second that went under his glove and brought home Oakland’s first two runs.
The game had a little bit of everything: an Oakland comeback that fell short, a hit batter and wild pitch that scored Texas’ initial run, the two defensive mistakes and a balk. Rangers starter Matt Harrison even turned his attention for a brief moment to the folkloric dancers who performed on “Fiesta Day” right behind home plate as he warmed up in the middle of the sixth.
Harrison’s concern was hitting someone if the ball got past his catcher.
“You don’t see that every day,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “It sort of distracted Harrison — not because he couldn’t get in rhythm but because he didn’t want to let one get away. That had nothing to do with how the sixth inning unfolded. They swung the bats.”
Harrison was done that inning. He allowed Scott Sizemore’s leadoff double, an RBI single to Kurt Suzuki one out later and then Allen’s RBI double. No. 9 hitter Cliff Pennington walked and Washington turned to Oliver.
Allen also singled leading off the third for his first hit since joining the A’s, then produced another base hit to start the fifth.
“It shows the fight that’s in everybody — down a little bit but we never got down on ourselves,” Allen said. “And as a team, we came together collectively. We gave them a run.”
Allen, acquired in last month’s trade with Arizona that sent reliever Brad Ziegler to the Diamondbacks, was called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.
Harrison received a mound visit from pitching coach Mike Maddux after loading the bases with one out in the third. He calmly got out of it unscathed, retiring Matsui on a flyout and cleanup hitter Josh Willingham on a swinging strikeout.
Harden fell behind right away against his former team. He hit leadoff man Kinsler with a pitch, then got Elvis Andrus on a flyout before four straight Rangers reached base. Texas’ first run scored on a wild pitch, then Napoli drew a bases-loaded walk and Moreland added his sacrifice fly.
Harden walked in another run in the fourth when Young drew a free pass. Harden wound up with a season-high five walks over four innings. The right-hander hadn’t issued five walks since last Aug. 23 while with Texas.
The reigning AL champion Rangers released Harden after the 2010 regular season, in which he struggled with injuries and control. Harden received a $1.5 million, one-year contract in December to rejoin Oakland, his original team.
NOTES: Oakland scratched 1B Conor Jackson from the lineup because of neck tightness. Allen took his place. … A’s CF Coco Crisp returned to the lineup after missing six games with a strained right calf. … LHP Gio Gonzalez (9-10) pitches Monday’s series opener for the A’s against Baltimore trying to end a four-start losing streak. Gonzalez is 0-5 with a 5.82 ERA in six starts against AL East clubs this year.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Ron Washington’s reigning AL champions are on quite a
roll, finding ways to win the tough ones—and the strange ones—exactly when
they want to be playing their best.

They held on through all kinds of interesting circumstances Sunday.

David Murphy(notes) hit a tiebreaking RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning,
and Texas survived after blowing a six-run lead to beat the Oakland Athletics
7-6 and complete a three-game series sweep.

Mike Adams(notes) (1-1) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for the victory, then Neftali Feliz(notes)
finished for his 23rd save in 29 chances as the Rangers won their fourth
straight road game heading into a key four-game series with the Angels in
Anaheim.

“We’re excited about it,” slugger Josh Hamilton(notes) said of his team’s recent
run of success. “I don’t want to say it relaxes us, but it makes us want to get
after it more and send a message. A month and a half to go, all the rest of the
series with them are very important.”

Mitch Moreland(notes) hit a sacrifice fly, Michael Young(notes) and Mike Napoli(notes) each drew
bases-loaded walks against former Ranger Rich Harden(notes) and first-place Texas
extended its winning streak in the rivalry to eight games. The Rangers (69-52)
also moved a season-best 17 games over .500.

Andrew Bailey(notes) (0-3) issued a one-out walk to Moreland in the ninth. Craig
Gentry(notes) came in to run for Moreland and stole second on a 1-2 count to put
himself in good position on Murphy’s single to center.

“I can’t put a guy on in that situation,” Bailey said.

This marks the A’s longest skid against the Rangers since dropping nine in a
row from June 19-Sept. 30, 1986. Texas outscored Oakland 23-8 in the series—
and did so without a single home run. The Rangers left a man on base every
inning Sunday.

Oakland’s Hideki Matsui(notes) hit a tying RBI single in the sixth after he was
brushed back twice by reliever Darren Oliver(notes), once even going to the ground to
get out of the way.

A day after the A’s committed four errors, they had another blunder. Right
fielder David DeJesus(notes) dropped a routine fly ball by Ian Kinsler(notes) in the fifth,
allowing two runs to score.

In the bottom half, Kinsler misplayed a bouncing grounder to second that
went under his glove and brought home Oakland’s first two runs.

The game had a little bit of everything: an Oakland comeback that fell
short, a hit batter and wild pitch that scored Texas’ initial run, the two
defensive mistakes and a balk. Rangers starter Matt Harrison(notes) even turned his
attention for a brief moment to the folkloric dancers who performed on “Fiesta
Day” right behind home plate as he warmed up in the middle of the sixth.

Harrison’s concern was hitting someone if the ball got past his catcher.

“You don’t see that every day,” Washington said. “It sort of distracted
Harrison—not because he couldn’t get in rhythm but because he didn’t want to
let one get away. That had nothing to do with how the sixth inning unfolded.
They swung the bats.”

Harrison was done that inning. He allowed Scott Sizemore’s(notes) leadoff double,
an RBI single to Kurt Suzuki(notes) one out later and then Brandon Allen’s(notes) RBI double.
No. 9 hitter Cliff Pennington(notes) walked and Washington turned to Oliver.

Late lineup addition and newcomer Allen provided the highlights for Oakland,
which lost its third straight on the heels of a 4-2 road trip.

The finale was considered an improvement, though, after the A’s lost 9-1 on
Friday and 7-1 on Saturday.

“In our dugout, the feeling was that we were going to win that game, no
question, once we tied it up,” manager Bob Melvin said. “So the mojo kind of
turned for us a bit. … They took it to us, obviously and beat us. And we
didn’t respond very well during those (first two) games. To be able to come back
and do what we did today kind of in the face of all of what I’ve been talking
about was a good sign.”

Allen singled leading off the third for his first hit since joining the A’s,
then produced another base hit to start the fifth. He also had the double in the
sixth.

Allen, acquired in last month’s trade with Arizona that sent reliever Brad
Ziegler(notes) to the Diamondbacks, was called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Harrison received a mound visit from pitching coach Mike Maddux after
loading the bases with one out in the third. He calmly got out of it unscathed,
retiring Matsui on a flyout and cleanup hitter Josh Willingham(notes) on a swinging
strikeout.

Harden fell behind right away against his former team. He hit leadoff man
Kinsler with a pitch, then got Elvis Andrus(notes) on a flyout before four straight
Rangers reached base. Texas’ first run scored on a wild pitch, then Napoli drew
a bases-loaded walk and Moreland added his sacrifice fly.

Harden walked in another run in the fourth when Young drew a free pass.
Harden wound up with a season-high five walks over four innings. The
right-hander hadn’t issued five walks since last Aug. 23 while with Texas.

The reigning AL champion Rangers released Harden after the 2010 regular
season, in which he struggled with injuries and control. Harden received a $1.5
million, one-year contract in December to rejoin Oakland, his original team.

NOTES: Rangers DH Yorvit Torrealba(notes) extended his hitting streak to 12 games
with a leadoff single in the fourth. Young’s hitting streak ended at 12 games.
… Oakland scratched 1B Conor Jackson(notes) from the lineup because of neck
tightness. Allen took his place. … A’s CF Coco Crisp(notes) returned to the lineup
after missing six games with a strained right calf. … Texas has won 17 of 21
vs. the AL West since May 15. … LHP Gio Gonzalez(notes) (9-10) pitches Monday’s
series opener for the A’s against Baltimore trying to end a four-start losing
streak. Gonzalez is 0-5 with a 5.82 ERA in six starts against AL East clubs this
year. … RHP Alexi Ogando(notes) (11-5) takes the ball in Texas’ opener with the
Angels. Ogando, 2-0 with a 0.41 ERA lifetime vs. Los Angeles, looks to take over
the team lead in victories.

CLEVELAND – Indians manager Manny Acta is searching for answers.

He sure didn’t find any Saturday night.

The Texas Rangers beat Cleveland 4-0, the Indians’ eighth loss in 11 games and their fifth straight at Progressive Field, where they were virtually unbeatable the first two months of the season. The Rangers have won 15 of the last 18 meetings against the Indians.

Cleveland’s struggling offense was blanked by Derek Holland, who pitched a five-hit shutout. Fausto Carmona (3-7), who hasn’t won since May 3, gave up home runs to Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz.

“Everything we’ve done to this point has been based on a team effort,” Acta said. “Everyone has pitched in and done their part, but on a night like this when you run into pitching like that, and you have three guys in the whole lineup hitting over .250, it’s tough to get things going.”

Shin-Soo Choo, who has been in a season-long slump and is hitting .246, got the night off for Cleveland. Grady Sizemore is trying to regain his stroke since coming off the disabled list last week, and Travis Hafner is still about three weeks from returning from an oblique injury.

“We need a couple of guys to snap out of it, and step up and just lengthen our lineup,” Acta said. “Without Hafner and having to give guys days off, guys that have been struggling and hurting, it’s not the most intimidating lineup.”

Following Sizemore’s single in the second, Holland retired 12 batters in a row before walking Adam Everett with one out in the sixth. Michael Brantley followed with a single and an error by normally sure-handed third baseman Adrian Beltre loaded the bases with two outs. Carlos Santana grounded out to Beltre on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

The Indians had runners on first and second in the seventh, but Holland struck out Lou Marson and retired Everett on a groundout.

“Holland threw the ball very well,” Acta said. “A lefty in the mid-90′s with a very good mix of pitches and (he) just flat-out shut us down.”

Holland (5-1), pitching in front of a small group of family and friends from his hometown of Newark, Ohio, pitched his second-career complete game shutout. He struck out five with one walk.

Carmona gave up a two-run homer to Hamilton in the first and a two-run shot to Cruz in the seventh. The homers traveled a combined 885 feet.

“I liked how I pitched today, but I made two pitches and two home runs,” said Carmona, who is 0-4 in his last six starts. “With Hamilton I left the ball up, so I tried to keep the ball down. Then Nelson Cruz hit a slider up. That’s how it goes. I missed two pitches and two home runs. After that I kept the ball down, had a lot of ground balls and quick outs.”

Acta thought Carmona gave his team a chance to win.

“He pitched well,” Acta said. “He threw a lot of first-pitch strikes.”

NOTES: Acta said Choo would play Sunday, but the manager plans on giving Sizemore the day off. … Indians 3B Jack Hannahan was out of the lineup for the second straight game because of a strained left hamstring. Holland’s complete game shutout was just the 10th by a visiting pitcher in Progressive Field history. … Rangers LHP Matt Harrison was diagnosed with a kidney stone and remained at the team hotel. He was scratched from Thursday’s start because of a blister, but is expected to pitch Tuesday in Detroit. … Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano threw his warmup pitches on the mound before the ninth inning but was removed with lower back tightness.

CLEVELAND – Derek Holland tossed a five-hitter for his second career shutout and the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0 on Saturday night.

Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz each hit a two-run homer as Texas won for the seventh time in eight games to improve to 15-8 since May 10. The Rangers have won 15 of the last 18 meetings against the Indians and 10 of 11 at Progressive Field.

Holland (5-1) struck out five, walked one and hit a batter in his first shutout since he threw a three-hitter in Texas’ 7-0 victory at the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 9, 2009.

Cleveland has lost eight of 11 and a season-high five straight at home.

Both homers came off Fausto Carmona (3-7), who hasn’t won since May 3 and is 0-4 in his last six starts. Hamilton connected in the first, hitting a drive into the second deck in right field that traveled an estimated 445 feet. Cruz went deep in the seventh, sending a 1-2 pitch an estimated 440 feet to the bleachers in left field.

Hamilton and Cruz also homered in Texas’ 11-2 win Friday night, and the AL West-leading Rangers are 18-5 with both players in the lineup.

Cleveland right fielder Shin-Soo Choo, who has been in a season-long slump and is hitting .246, got the night off.

Following Grady Sizemore’s single in the second, Holland retired 12 batters in a row before walking Adam Everett with one out in the sixth. Michael Brantley followed with a single and an error by normally surehanded third baseman Adrian Beltre loaded the bases with two outs. Carlos Santana grounded out to Beltre on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

The Indians had runners on first and second in the seventh, but Holland struck out Lou Marson and retired Everett on a groundout.

Holland is a native of Newark, Ohio, a 2½-hour car trip from Cleveland. He pitched in front of several family members and friends.

After Elvis Andrus’ one-out single, Hamilton, starting in center for the first time since coming off the DL on May 23, went deep on Carmona’s first pitch. It was the third homer of the season for the reigning AL MVP, who has played in only 23 of Texas’ 58 games.

Beltre was hit by a pitch to start the seventh and scored when Cruz hit his 12th homer. It was his third career homer in 13 at-bats against Carmona.

Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano threw his warmup pitches on the mound before the ninth inning, but was removed with an apparent injury.

NOTES: Rangers LHP Matt Harrison was diagnosed with a kidney stone and remained at the team hotel. He was scratched from Thursday’s start because of a blister, but is expected to pitch Tuesday in Detroit. … Hamilton lost control of his bat swinging at a pitch in the sixth inning. The bat flew over first base and landed about halfway down the right-field line. … Manager Manny Acta said Choo would play Sunday. … Indians 3B Jack Hannahan was out of the lineup for the second straight game because of a strained left hamstring.

AP Photo/Amy Sancetta

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland fields a chopper hit by Cleveland Indians second baseman Orlando Cabrera and then throws him out at first in the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Derek Holland tossed a five-hitter for his second career shutout and the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0 on Saturday night.
Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz each hit a two-run homer as Texas won for the seventh time in eight games to improve to 15-8 since May 10. The Rangers have won 15 of the last 18 meetings against the Indians and 10 of 11 at Progressive Field.
Holland (5-1) struck out five, walked one and hit a batter in his first shutout since he threw a three-hitter in Texas’ 7-0 victory at the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 9, 2009.
Cleveland has lost eight of 11 and a season-high five straight at home.
Both homers came off Fausto Carmona (3-7), who hasn’t won since May 3 and is 0-4 in his last six starts. Hamilton connected in the first, hitting a drive into the second deck in right field that traveled an estimated 445 feet. Cruz went deep in the seventh, sending a 1-2 pitch an estimated 440 feet to the bleachers in left field.
Hamilton and Cruz also homered in Texas’ 11-2 win Friday night, and the AL West-leading Rangers are 18-5 with both players in the lineup.
Cleveland right fielder Shin-Soo Choo, who has been in a season-long slump and is hitting .246, got the night off.
Following Grady Sizemore’s single in the second, Holland retired 12 batters in a row before walking Adam Everett with one out in the sixth. Michael Brantley followed with a single and an error by normally surehanded third baseman Adrian Beltre loaded the bases with two outs. Carlos Santana grounded out to Beltre on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.
The Indians had runners on first and second in the seventh, but Holland struck out Lou Marson and retired Everett on a groundout.
Holland is a native of Newark, Ohio, a 2½-hour car trip from Cleveland. He pitched in front of several family members and friends.
After Elvis Andrus’ one-out single, Hamilton, starting in center for the first time since coming off the DL on May 23, went deep on Carmona’s first pitch. It was the third homer of the season for the reigning AL MVP, who has played in only 23 of Texas’ 58 games.
Beltre was hit by a pitch to start the seventh and scored when Cruz hit his 12th homer. It was his third career homer in 13 at-bats against Carmona.
Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano threw his warmup pitches on the mound before the ninth inning, but was removed with an apparent injury.
NOTES: Rangers LHP Matt Harrison was diagnosed with a kidney stone and remained at the team hotel. He was scratched from Thursday’s start because of a blister, but is expected to pitch Tuesday in Detroit. … Hamilton lost control of his bat swinging at a pitch in the sixth inning. The bat flew over first base and landed about halfway down the right-field line. … Manager Manny Acta said Choo would play Sunday. … Indians 3B Jack Hannahan was out of the lineup for the second straight game because of a strained left hamstring.

Derek Holland takes the mound for the Texas Rangers tonight as they look to make it three wins in a row against the Cleveland Indians.

Holland will look to rebound from yet another shaky outing. Despite ‘earning’ the win, Holland lasted only five and two thirds innings against Tampa Bay, allowing five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out seven. The outing moved Holland’s WHIP all the way up to 1.55 on the season, and his BAA now sits at .290. After one of his best outings of the year against the Royals, Holland has allowed nine runs in his past two starts, totaling nine and two thirds innings. 

Texas’ offense may have to continue to mash tonight, and they’ll face another sinkerballer in Fausto Carmona. Carmona’s record sits at 3-6, with a 5.31 ERA. However, Carmona has only issued 22 walks in 76.1 innings, and boasts a respectable 1.26 WHIP and .253 BAA.

As our own Brett Perryman pointed out last night, Texas has been much better with Josh Hamilton in the lineup. Not that it should come as a shock having the MVP around, but it is remarkable how much better he makes the Rangers, as Texas is now 17-5 with Hamilton in the lineup.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT.