MLB: Texas 9, Oakland 8

The Rangers won for only the third time in 10 games and inched within 6 1/2 games of the division-leading Los Angeles Angels in the American League West. Texas trails Boston by seven games in the AL wild-chard chase.

Texas took a 4-0 lead, only to have the Athletics score five times in the fourth inning. The Rangers came back with four runs in the fifth, one of them scoring on a double by Blalock. He also had an RBI double in the first.

Just four of the Texas runs were earned courtesy of three Oakland errors.

Tommy Hunter (9-4) got the win despite allowing seven runs on nine hits 5 2/3 innings. Frank Francisco worked the ninth for his 24th save.

Clayton Mortensen (2-3) allowed six runs, but just three were earned over 4 2/3.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.