Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Craig Gentry crushed a go-ahead three-run
triple in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Rangers to a 4-3 victory
over the Athletics in the second test of a four-game series Friday at Rangers
Ballpark.
Trailing 2-0, Texas loaded the bases in the eighth as Grant Balfour (1-2)
surrendered a one-out single to Elvis Andrus before walking Josh Hamilton and
Michael Young around an Adrian Beltre fly out.
Nelson Cruz then worked a walk to plate the Rangers first run and Ryan Cook
entered from the bullpen.
Gentry then belted Cook's second offering deep to left over the head of Yoenis
Cespedes, clearing the bases as he slid into third with a triple.
Tanner Scheppers surrendered a two-out solo shot to Chris Carter in the ninth,
but retired Brandon Hicks on a weak groundball to second to nail down his
first major league save and give the Rangers their fourth straight victory.
Matt Harrison (11-3) allowed two runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts over
eight innings to earn the victory. He is now tied with Tampa Bay's David Price
for the American League lead in wins after Price led the Rays to a 4-2 victory
over the Detroit Tigers on Friday.
The Sports Network