Oakland, CA —The Texas Rangers won’t forget the name Starling Marte. The Dominican outfielder went 4-for-5 in the series, which gave him five multi-hit outings in the nine games since he was acquired from the Marlins for Jesus Luzardo. He went 8-for-15 in the Rangers’ series with a double, a home run, five RBIs, three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Marte is now hitting .425 for the Oakland A’s.
Also Seth Brown smashed a homer Sunday afternoon as the American League West second-place team completed a three-game sweep of the visiting Texas Rangers with a 6-3 victory and put them two games back of Houston with the Astros losing to the Minnesota Twins.
Texas totaled just 17 hits in the series, which extended their losing streak to six games.
“There’s a lot of baseball left,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “The main thing you need to do is just focus on yourself. We’re playing better baseball right now.”
Right-hander James Kaprielian (6-4) came off the injured list to combine with four relievers on a four-hitter, helping Oakland complete a 4-1 homestand that began with an 8-1 loss to the San Diego Padres.
Kaprielian, who had experienced shoulder issues in his previous start, threw 84 pitches in six innings, during which he allowed two runs and three hits. He walked two and fanned four.
The Rangers took an early 1-0 lead when Nathaniel Lowe doubled home García in the top of the first. The A’s answered with an RBI single from Lowrie and a two-run double from Murphy in the bottom half to take a 3-1 lead.
Brown’s home run a 448-foot shot, his 13th off the season off Texas starter Jordan Lyles (5-9) in the fourth inning and Lowrie drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-1.
Marte had an RBI single in the sixth to complete Oakland’s scoring and ended Lyles’ evening after 5 1/3 innings. He was charged with six runs on 10 hits, with four walks and four K’s.
A’s closer Lou Trivino pitched around a one-out walk in the ninth to notch his 18th save, protecting a three-run lead.
Kaprielian’s return: Kaprielian made his first start back from the injured list, a stint that forced him to skip one start with Daulton Jefferies in in his place. Jefferies was optioned on Sunday morning to make room for Kaprielian.
Bullpen: Andrew Chafin turned in his sixth straight scoreless appearance with the A’s in the seventh inning. Yusmeiro Petit gave up a homer to Kiner-Falefa in the eighth and walked Garcia before Jake Diekman took over to tackle left-handed hitter Lowe. Petit struck him out after falling behind 3-0 to end the inning. Lou Trivino got his 18th save in a scoreless ninth.
UP NEXT:
Rangers: LHP Kolby Allard (2-10, 5.07 ERA) will try to end an eight-game losing streak when Texas opens a three-game series in Seattle on Tuesday night.
Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea (8-7 3.26) will start Tuesday as Oakland begins a three-game series in Cleveland. Manaea is 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in four career starts against the Indians.
