Scoreless rut ends in a loud way
ARLINGTON, Texas — Mark Canha had a three-run homer and Danny Valencia a two-run shot in the fifth inning, leading the A’s over the Texas Rangers 5-3 on Saturday night.
Despite the loss, Texas gained a half-game on the AL wild cardleading Yankees, who were swept in a doubleheader by Toronto but hold a three-game edge. The Rangers remained a game ahead of Minnesota for the second wild card.
Oakland had been shut out for 16 consecutive innings before Canha’s three-run shot, his 15th of the season, off Yovani Gallardo.
Left-hander Sean Nolin (1-1) limited Texas to four hits in 5 2 ⁄3 innings, including a solo homer by Mike Napoli in the second.
Gallardo (12-10) lost for the first time in nine starts, ending a fivedecision winning streak.
Canha is the American League rookie leader in RBIs with 63.
Two batters after Canha’s homer into the left-field corner, Valencia hit a two-run drive to left, his 14th of the year.
On Friday night, Valencia broke up Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis’ bid for a perfect game leading off the eighth inning with a double.
Gallardo lasted only 4 1 ⁄3 innings and hasn’t gone more than six innings since June.
Nolin was recalled from Tri(3-1), ple-A Nashville on Sept. 4. He was acquired last winter from Toronto in the multiplayer deal that sent Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays.
Sam Fuld, Oakland’s No. 9 hitter, went 2-for-3, including the first hit of Oakland’s five-run inning. Fuld went into play in a 3-for-40 slump.
Texas’ Shin-Soo Choo extended his hitting streak to 12 games and has reached base in 32 of his past 33 games.
The Rangers’ Elvis Andrus ended an 0-for-21 drought with a career-high three doubles.
Napoli hit .207 this season for Boston. Since being reacquired by Texas on Aug. 7, he has hit .286 with three homers in 41 at-bats.
Texas recalled outfielder Ryan Rua from Triple-A Round Rock before the game, and he started in left field. Briefly: A’s outfielder Billy Burns (groin) missed his second consecutive game, and manager Bob Melvin indicated Burns will probably miss Sunday afternoon’s series finale. ... Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the hope is that outfielder Josh Hamilton, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Friday, can return this season. ... The A’s have won all four games started by left-hander Felix Doubront Sunday’s starter, who was acquired from Toronto on July 31. ... Rangers rookie right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-5) won his first two starts when recalled in late May, including a shutout of Kansas City, but he since has had five losses and two no-decisions.