Return to Oakland a winner for Griffin

Former Athletics pitcher works six scoreless innings.

Unlike the first time he faced the Athletics this season, Texas right-hander A.J. Griffin had no problem keeping his emotions under control against his former club.

Having a strong curveball helped, too.

Griffin pitched six scoreless innings in his return to the Oakland Coliseum, Nomar Mazara had two hits and three RBIS, and the Texas Rangers beat the Athletics 7-0 on Monday night.

“Haven’t pitched off that mound in a long time, and I felt right at home out there,” said Griffin, who was released by the A’s following the 2015 season. “My first outing this year against the old team in Arlington, I was a little bit more jacked up. We were just pitching my game, keeping them off balance.”

Carlos Gomez and Mike Napoli added two RBIs apiece to help Texas end a threegame skid.

Griffin (2-0) spent his first two seasons in the majors with the A’s before being released near the end of 2015 after Tommy John surgery a year earlier. He hadn’t pitched at the Coliseum since making his final start for Oakland on Sept. 18, 2013. He looked very comfortable in his return.

Griffin allowed one hit and one walk, retired the final 14 batters he faced and finished with eight strikeouts — one shy of his career high.

“I would say that in the two years we’ve had him that’s about as smooth of an outing, in control, that he’s had,” Texas manager Jeff Banister said. “Just a masterful game by Griff tonight.”

Three Texas relievers combined for the final nine outs to complete the three-hitter.

It was a rough day all around for Oakland, which extended its season-high losing streak to four games.