Derek Holland gave up four hits in eight shutout innings, Nelson Cruz and Mitch Moreland each hit a home run and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Sunday.
Adrian Beltre had two hits and drove in a run for the Rangers, who have won six of seven to move within 2½ games of the AL West Division leading Athletics.
Cruz lead off the second inning with his 27th home run of the season ahead a probable suspension by MLB for his involvement in the Biogenesis PED’s scandal.
A.J. Griffin (10-8) lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned , on five hit for Oakland He walked one and struck out seven.
The victory was Ron Washington’s 582nd as Rangers manager, moving into first place for the most in Rangers history. Bobby Valentine had been in the lead with 581, accrued between 1985 and 1992.
