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Matt Olson homers twice as Oakland Athletics down Texas Rangers

Jul 11, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Stephen Piscotty (25) makes a diving catch during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Olson ripped two solo home runs and Chris Bassitt scattered four hits over seven innings to record his 10th straight win as the Oakland Athletics powered their way past the Texas Rangers 4-1 on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.

The Athletics won for the second straight game and captured the weekend series with their division rivals. Oakland has captured three of its past four contests and went 3-3 on a six-game road trip against Houston and Texas.

Oakland (52-40) will go to the All-Star break in second place in the American League West, 2 1/2 games behind front-running Houston.

The Athletics managed just six hits, but four of them were solo home runs, and that was plenty of support for Bassitt.

Bassitt (10-2), who is on the AL All-Star Game roster, gave up one run while striking out three and walking one. He won his 10th straight decision over a stretch of 17 starts; he hasn’t lost since April 6.

Yusmeiro Petit and Lou Trivino each pitched an inning in relief in the win, with Trivino working out of a two-on, two-out jam in the ninth to earn his 14th save of the season.

The Athletics got on the board with Jed Lowrie and Sean Murphy hitting back-to-back one-out solo home runs off Rangers’ starter Kolby Allard in the top of the second inning. Olson added his first solo homer in the fourth to expand Oakland’s lead to 3-0.

Texas cut its deficit to 3-1 in the fifth when Nick Solak’s two-out double drove home David Dahl, who had singled to start the inning. Dahl had three of the Rangers’ five hits in the loss.

Olson ripped his second homer in the sixth to push the Athletics’ lead back to three runs.

Allard (2-6) took the loss, allowing all four runs on homers and just five hits in six innings of work. Allard, who struck out three without allowing a walk, is lost his fourth consecutive decision and hasn’t won since June 12 against the Dodgers.

Texas (35-55) heads to the All-Star break in last place in the AL West and with the second-worst record in the American League.

–Field Level Media

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