Cespedes Homers as Athletics Double Up Rangers
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Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images(OAKLAND, Calif.) — Yoenis Cespedes launched a two-run home run in the first inning to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Jed Lowrie and Eric Sogard also drove in runs to help the Athletics snap a three-game losing streak. They increased their lead in the AL West to 3.5 games over the Rangers.
Jarrod Parker gave up two runs over six innings of work to earn his seventh-win of the season. Grant Balfour pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 29th save.
“Sometimes you want to score before a starting pitcher gets comfortable,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “You try to get something off a good pitcher early to create a little havoc, and later to score a run.”
Rangers starter Matt Garza (7-2) lost for the first time since June 11.
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