AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 4 0 TEXAS 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 5 14 1 (TOP 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: OAK - ANDREW BROWN TEX - C.J. WILSON DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N SWISHER (.257, 0-FOR-3) M SCUTARO (.261, 0-FOR-3) J HANNAHAN (.268, 1-FOR-3)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">OAKLAND (2) VS TEXAS (5) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg S Stewart lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .283 M Ellis 2b 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 .264 J Cust rf 2 0 1 1 1 0 3 .263 M Piazza dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 6 .281 D Murphy pr-dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244 D Johnson 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .232 N Swisher cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .257 M Scutaro ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261 J Hannahan 3b 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 .268 K Suzuki c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .250 Totals 27 2 4 1 4 6 14 BATTING: SF - J Cust. RBI - J Cust (73). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Piazza 1, D Johnson 2. GIDP - J Cust. Team LOB - 6. FIELDING: Outfield assists - N Swisher (I Kinsler at 2nd base). DP: 1 (J Hannahan-M Ellis-D Johnson). TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg F Catalanotto lf 4 2 3 3 0 0 1 .277 a-S Sosa ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249 I Kinsler 2b 5 0 3 0 0 1 2 .273 M Young ss 3 0 1 1 1 0 2 .308 M Byrd cf 4 0 3 0 1 0 1 .306 B Wilkerson rf-1b 4 0 1 0 1 1 5 .240 G Laird c 4 0 0 0 0 2 8 .219 H Blalock dh 4 1 1 0 0 2 0 .284 J Saltalamacchia 1b 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .254 D Murphy rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .373 R Vazquez 3b 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .241 Totals 36 5 14 5 4 8 21 a-grounded to shortstop for F Catalanotto in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - J Saltalamacchia (6, D Haren); R Vazquez (11, D Haren). 3B - F Catalanotto (4, D Haren); H Blalock (3, D Haren). HR - F Catalanotto (10, 1st inning off D Haren 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - F Catalanotto 3 (40), R Vazquez (26), M Young (72). 2-out RBI - M Young, F Catalanotto. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Wilkerson 1, G Laird 4. GIDP - M Young. Team LOB - 12. BASERUNNING: SB - I Kinsler (19, 2nd base off D Haren/K Suzuki). FIELDING: E - M Young (13, line drive). DP: 1 (I Kinsler-M Young-J Saltalamacchia). ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND - 000 000 02 -- 2 TEXAS - 100 310 00 -- 5 ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era D Haren 4 2/3 12 5 5 3 7 1 3.03 R Lugo 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 6.11 D Braden 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.63 A Brown 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.90 TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era E Volquez 6 2 0 0 3 5 0 2.45 J Rheinecker 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.48 F Francisco 1/3 2 2 1 1 0 0 4.91 C Wilson 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.86 HBP - M Young (by A Brown). Pitches-strikes: D Haren 100-57; R Lugo 21-11; D Braden 7-6; A Brown 28-17; E Volquez 87-52; J Rheinecker 7-5; F Francisco 19-10; C Wilson 11-9. Ground balls-fly balls: D Haren 5-2; R Lugo 1-2; D Braden 1-2; A Brown 2-0; E Volquez 6-7; J Rheinecker 0-3; F Francisco 0-1; C Wilson 0-1. Batters faced: D Haren 28; R Lugo 5; D Braden 3; A Brown 5; E Volquez 22; J Rheinecker 3; F Francisco 4; C Wilson 3. UMPIRES: HP--Mark Carlson. 1B--Angel Hernandez. 2B--Ted Barrett. 3B--James Hoye. Weather: 90 degrees, clear. Wind: 10 mph, in from right.</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: N Cruz in right field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 2 TEXAS 5 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N Swisher (.257, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: D Murphy in left field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 2 TEXAS 5 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N Swisher (.257, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - SCORING UPDATE SACRIFICE FLY BY JACK HANNAHAN SCORED NICK SWISHER. SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M SCUTARO ON FIRST, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 3 TEXAS 5 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: K SUZUKI (.250, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - PITCHING CHANGE TEX: JOAQUIN BENOIT (7-3, 2.58) IN THE 9TH SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M SCUTARO ON FIRST, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 3, TEXAS 5 DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: K SUZUKI (.250, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Benoit relieved C Wilson. SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M SCUTARO ON FIRST, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 3 TEXAS 5 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: K Suzuki (.250, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 6 0 TEXAS 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 x 5 14 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: OAK - DAN HAREN, RUDDY LUGO (5TH), DALLAS BRADEN (7TH), ANDREW BROWN (8TH) AND KURT SUZUKI TEX - EDINSON VOLQUEZ, JOHN RHEINECKER (7TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (8TH), C.J. WILSON (8TH), JOAQUIN BENOIT (9TH) AND GERALD LAIRD HOME RUNS: OAK - NONE TEX - FRANK CATALANOTTO (10) OFF DAN HAREN IN THE 1ST, 0 ON</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 6 0 TEXAS 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 x 5 14 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: OAK - DAN HAREN, RUDDY LUGO (5TH), DALLAS BRADEN (7TH), ANDREW BROWN (8TH) AND KURT SUZUKI TEX - EDINSON VOLQUEZ, JOHN RHEINECKER (7TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (8TH), C.J. WILSON (8TH), JOAQUIN BENOIT (9TH) AND GERALD LAIRD WP - EDINSON VOLQUEZ (2-0) LP - DAN HAREN (14-7) SAVE - JOAQUIN BENOIT (4) HOME RUNS: OAK - NONE TEX - FRANK CATALANOTTO (10) OFF DAN HAREN IN THE 1ST, 0 ON TIME: 3:01 ATT: 22,318 PROBABLES: OAK - CHAD GAUDIN (10-10, 4.25) TEX - KASON GABBARD (6-1, 4.07)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">OAKLAND (3) VS TEXAS (5) - FINAL OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg S Stewart lf 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 .283 M Ellis 2b 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 .264 J Cust rf 2 0 1 1 1 0 3 .263 M Piazza dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 6 .281 D Murphy pr-dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244 D Johnson 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .232 N Swisher cf 4 1 1 0 0 2 0 .259 M Scutaro ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .263 J Hannahan 3b 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 .268 K Suzuki c 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .248 Totals 31 3 6 2 4 6 17 BATTING: 2B - N Swisher (32, C Wilson). SF - J Cust , J Hannahan. RBI - J Cust (73), J Hannahan (14). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Piazza 1, D Johnson 2. GIDP - J Cust. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: Outfield assists - N Swisher (I Kinsler at 2nd base). DP: 1 (J Hannahan-M Ellis-D Johnson). TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg F Catalanotto lf 4 2 3 3 0 0 1 .277 a-S Sosa ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249 N Cruz rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212 I Kinsler 2b 5 0 3 0 0 1 2 .273 M Young ss 3 0 1 1 1 0 2 .308 M Byrd cf 4 0 3 0 1 0 1 .306 B Wilkerson rf-1b 4 0 1 0 1 1 5 .240 G Laird c 4 0 0 0 0 2 8 .219 H Blalock dh 4 1 1 0 0 2 0 .284 J Saltalamacchia 1b 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .254 D Murphy rf-lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .373 R Vazquez 3b 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .241 Totals 36 5 14 5 4 8 21 a-grounded to shortstop for F Catalanotto in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - J Saltalamacchia (6, D Haren); R Vazquez (11, D Haren). 3B - F Catalanotto (4, D Haren); H Blalock (3, D Haren). HR - F Catalanotto (10, 1st inning off D Haren 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - F Catalanotto 3 (40), R Vazquez (26), M Young (72). 2-out RBI - M Young, F Catalanotto. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Wilkerson 1, G Laird 4. GIDP - M Young. Team LOB - 12. BASERUNNING: SB - I Kinsler (19, 2nd base off D Haren/K Suzuki). FIELDING: E - M Young (13, line drive). DP: 1 (I Kinsler-M Young-J Saltalamacchia). ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND - 000 000 021 -- 3 TEXAS - 100 310 00x -- 5 ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era D Haren (L, 14-7) 4 2/3 12 5 5 3 7 1 3.03 R Lugo 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 6.11 D Braden 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.63 A Brown 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.90 TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era E Volquez (W, 2-0) 6 2 0 0 3 5 0 2.45 J Rheinecker 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.48 F Francisco 1/3 2 2 1 1 0 0 4.91 C Wilson (H, 12) 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 2.98 J Benoit (S, 4) 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.55 HBP - M Young (by A Brown). Pitches-strikes: D Haren 100-57; R Lugo 21-11; D Braden 7-6; A Brown 28-17; E Volquez 87-52; J Rheinecker 7-5; F Francisco 19-10; C Wilson 26-18; J Benoit 7-7. Ground balls-fly balls: D Haren 5-2; R Lugo 1-2; D Braden 1-2; A Brown 2-0; E Volquez 6-7; J Rheinecker 0-3; F Francisco 0-1; C Wilson 0-2; J Benoit 0-2. Batters faced: D Haren 28; R Lugo 5; D Braden 3; A Brown 5; E Volquez 22; J Rheinecker 3; F Francisco 4; C Wilson 6; J Benoit 2. UMPIRES: HP--Mark Carlson. 1B--Angel Hernandez. 2B--Ted Barrett. 3B--James Hoye. T--3:01. Att--22,318. Weather: 90 degrees, clear. Wind: 10 mph, in from right.</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OAKLAND (3) AT TEXAS (5) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS 1ST: F Catalanotto homered to right center. I Kinsler singled to right. M Young flied out to center. I Kinsler stole second. M Byrd walked. B Wilkerson struck out swinging. G Laird flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 1. TEXAS 4TH: H Blalock struck out swinging. J Saltalamacchia doubled to deep left center. R Vazquez doubled to right, J Saltalamacchia scored. F Catalanotto tripled to deep right, R Vazquez scored. I Kinsler struck out swinging. M Young singled to right, F Catalanotto scored. M Byrd singled to center, M Young to second. B Wilkerson walked, M Young to third, M Byrd to second. G Laird struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 4. TEXAS 5TH: H Blalock tripled to deep left. J Saltalamacchia struck out swinging. R Vazquez struck out swinging. F Catalanotto reached on infield single to second, H Blalock scored. R Lugo relieved D Haren. I Kinsler flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 5. OAKLAND 8TH: B Wilkerson at first base. D Murphy in right field. F Francisco relieved J Rheinecker. J Hannahan singled to left. K Suzuki flied out to center. S Stewart singled to right, J Hannahan to second. M Ellis walked, J Hannahan to third, S Stewart to second. C Wilson relieved F Francisco. J Cust hit sacrifice fly to left, J Hannahan scored. M Piazza safe at first on error by shortstop M Young, S Stewart scored, M Ellis to third. D Murphy ran for M Piazza. D Johnson struck out looking. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) OAKLAND 2, TEXAS 5. OAKLAND 9TH: N Cruz in right field. D Murphy in left field. N Swisher doubled to left. M Scutaro singled to center, N Swisher to third. J Hannahan hit sacrifice fly to left, N Swisher scored. J Benoit relieved C Wilson. K Suzuki flied out to center. S Stewart lined out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 3, TEXAS 5.</div>
AL: OAKLAND at TEXAS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OAKLAND (3) AT TEXAS (5) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oakland Starting Lineups -- S Stewart LF, M Ellis 2B, J Cust RF, M Piazza DH, D Johnson 1B, N Swisher CF, M Scutaro SS, J Hannahan 3B, K Suzuki C, D Haren RHP. Texas Starting Lineups -- F Catalanotto LF, I Kinsler 2B, M Young SS, M Byrd CF, B Wilkerson RF, G Laird C, H Blalock DH, J Saltalamacchia 1B, R Vazquez 3B, E Volquez RHP. Umpires -- Mark Carlson (HP), Angel Hernandez (1B), Ted Barrett (2B), James Hoye (3B). Gametime Weather: 90 degrees, Clear, wind in from right at 10 mph. OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart grounded out to first. M Ellis walked. J Cust walked, M Ellis to second. M Piazza struck out swinging. D Johnson grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 0. TEXAS 1ST: F Catalanotto homered to right center. I Kinsler singled to right. M Young flied out to center. I Kinsler stole second. M Byrd walked. B Wilkerson struck out swinging. G Laird flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 1. OAKLAND 2ND: N Swisher struck out swinging. M Scutaro flied out to right. J Hannahan struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 1. TEXAS 2ND: H Blalock struck out looking. J Saltalamacchia grounded out to first. R Vazquez walked. F Catalanotto grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 1. OAKLAND 3RD: K Suzuki lined out to second. S Stewart grounded out to third. M Ellis reached on infield single to third. J Cust singled to right, M Ellis to third. M Piazza flied out to center. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 1. TEXAS 3RD: I Kinsler singled to right. M Young grounded into double play, third to second to first, I Kinsler out at second. M Byrd singled to right. B Wilkerson singled to right, M Byrd to second. G Laird grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 1. OAKLAND 4TH: D Johnson lined out to right. N Swisher struck out swinging. M Scutaro popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 1. TEXAS 4TH: H Blalock struck out swinging. J Saltalamacchia doubled to deep left center. R Vazquez doubled to right, J Saltalamacchia scored. F Catalanotto tripled to deep right, R Vazquez scored. I Kinsler struck out swinging. M Young singled to right, F Catalanotto scored. M Byrd singled to center, M Young to second. B Wilkerson walked, M Young to third, M Byrd to second. G Laird struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 4. OAKLAND 5TH: J Hannahan flied out to right. K Suzuki lined out to left. S Stewart grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 4. TEXAS 5TH: H Blalock tripled to deep left. J Saltalamacchia struck out swinging. R Vazquez struck out swinging. F Catalanotto reached on infield single to second, H Blalock scored. R Lugo relieved D Haren. I Kinsler flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 5. OAKLAND 6TH: M Ellis walked. J Cust grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, M Ellis out at second. M Piazza struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 5. TEXAS 6TH: M Young walked. M Byrd grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, M Young out at second. B Wilkerson flied out to left. G Laird struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 5. OAKLAND 7TH: J Rheinecker relieved E Volquez. D Johnson flied out to right. N Swisher popped out to first. M Scutaro lined out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 5. TEXAS 7TH: D Braden relieved R Lugo. H Blalock flied out to center. J Saltalamacchia grounded out to pitcher. R Vazquez popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, TEXAS 5. OAKLAND 8TH: B Wilkerson at first base. D Murphy in right field. F Francisco relieved J Rheinecker. J Hannahan singled to left. K Suzuki flied out to center. S Stewart singled to right, J Hannahan to second. M Ellis walked, J Hannahan to third, S Stewart to second. C Wilson relieved F Francisco. J Cust hit sacrifice fly to left, J Hannahan scored. M Piazza safe at first on error by shortstop M Young, S Stewart scored, M Ellis to third. D Murphy ran for M Piazza. D Johnson struck out looking. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) OAKLAND 2, TEXAS 5. TEXAS 8TH: S Sosa hit for F Catalanotto. A Brown relieved D Braden. S Sosa grounded out to shortstop. I Kinsler singled to center, I Kinsler out stretching at second. M Young hit by pitch. M Byrd singled to center, M Young to third. B Wilkerson grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, TEXAS 5. OAKLAND 9TH: N Cruz in right field. D Murphy in left field. N Swisher doubled to left. M Scutaro singled to center, N Swisher to third. J Hannahan hit sacrifice fly to left, N Swisher scored. J Benoit relieved C Wilson. K Suzuki flied out to center. S Stewart lined out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 3, TEXAS 5.</div>
Volquez, Rangers top Athletics <h3>TEXAS 5, OAKLAND 3</h3>ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Edinson Volquez pitchedsix scoreless innings and Frank Catalanotto drove in three runsas the Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland A's, 5-3, on Friday. Volquez (2-0) surrendered only two hits with two walks and fivestrikeouts in only his second start of the season. Therighthander began the season at Class A and stopped at everylevel of the minors on his way to the major leagues. The Rangers bullpen combination of John Rheineckier, FrankFrancisco and C.J. Wilson pitched the final three innings withWilson recording his 12th save of the season. Catalanotto, only a double away from hitting for the cycle,homered to leadoff the game for the third time this season. Headded a triple in the fourth. Leading off the first, Catalanotto deposited Oakland starter DanHaren's (14-7) second pitch of the game into the rightfieldbleachers. The Rangers touched Haren for three runs in the fourth as JarrodSaltalamacchia hit a one-out double over Shannon Stewart's headin left-center field. Ramon Vazquez followed with a double toright scoring Saltalamacchia. Catalanotto notched his second RBI of the night with a tripleoff the right field wall that was misplayed by Jack Cust,allowing Vazques to score. After an Ian Kinsler strikeout, Michael Young singled homeCatalanotto. Texas struck again against Haren in the fifth as Hank Blalockled off the inning with a triple down the left field line thatrolled to the corner and, two outs later, Catalanotto hit aninfield single scoring Blalock for his third RBI of the night. Ian Kinsler and Marlon Byrd each had two hits for the Rangerswho are now 10-2 in their last twelve games and only two gamesbehind the A's for third place in the American League West. Haren, who lost for the third time in his last four decisions,allowed five runs on 12 hits in four and two-third innings. Itwas Haren's shortest outing of the season. The Oakland pitching staff has now allowed 85 runs in the last13 games. Oakland's only runs came in the eighth after Francisco loadedthe bases. Jack Hanahan scored on a Jack Cust flyout to leftand an error by shortstop Michael Young on a linedrive by MikePiazza scored Shannon Stewart. Mark Ellis had a hit and three walks for the A's who had onlyfour hits on the night. Ellis is hitting .439 (18-41)with a homerun and seven RBI in his last 10 games against theRangers.
Re: AL: OAKLAND (69-72) at TEXAS (65-74) I was not able to see the game which now might be better than if I did.
Volquez, Rangers top Athletics <h3>TEXAS 5, OAKLAND 3</h3>ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Edinson Volquez pitched sixscoreless innings and Frank Catalanotto drove in three runs asthe Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland A's, 5-3, on Friday. Volquez (2-0) surrendered only two hits with two walks and fivestrikeouts in only his second start of the season. Therighthander began the season at Class A and stopped at everylevel of the minors on his way to the major leagues. "I know I'm pitching better than last year," Volquez, whostarted eight games for the Rangers in 2006, said. "Last yeareverything was so fast for me and this year I know what I'mdoing and I'm just concentrating on making my pitches." The Rangers bullpen combination of John Rheineckier, FrankFrancisco, C.J. Wilson and Joaquin Benoit pitched the finalthree innings with Benoit recording his fourth save of the year. "Volquez had a good tempo early and the off-speed stuff wasworking for him. When they started sitting on that he went tothe hard stuff. The kid is showing that he can pitch at themajor league level," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. Catalanotto, only a double away from hitting for the cycle,homered to leadoff the game for the third time this season. Headded a triple in the fourth and a single in the fifth inning. Sammy Sosa pinch hit for Catalanotto in the eighth denying him ashot at the cycle. "I thought I'd get one more at-bat," Catalanotto said. "Youdont' get many opportunities to go for a cycle and I'm a bitdisappointed but somewhere down the road maybe there will beanother opportunity." Leading off the first, Catalanotto deposited Oakland starter DanHaren's (14-7) second pitch of the game into the rightfieldbleachers, for his tenth homerun of the season. The Rangers touched Haren for three runs in the fourth as JarrodSaltalamacchia hit a one-out double over Shannon Stewart's headin left-center field. Ramon Vazquez followed with a double toright scoring Saltalamacchia. Catalanotto notched his second RBI of the night with a tripleoff the right field wall that was misplayed by Jack Cust,allowing Vazquez to score. After an Ian Kinsler strikeout, Michael Young singled homeCatalanotto. "Haren didn't have his stuff tonight," Catalanotto said. "Hewas giving us a lot of pitches to hit and was hanging it up inthe zone." Texas struck again against Haren in the fifth as Hank Blalockled off the inning with a triple down the left field line thatrolled to the corner and, two outs later, Catalanotto hit aninfield single scoring Blalock for his third RBI of the night,putting Texas ahead 5-0. "Everybody goes through stretches where they struggle," Harensaid. "When you're going good it's easy, this is when you earnyour money. My stuff wasn't as sharp as it has been. I didn'thave much and it looked like it. And it's hard when you're notplaying for anything...maybe that's part of it." Ian Kinsler and Marlon Byrd each had three hits for the Rangerswho are now 10-2 in their last twelve games and only two gamesbehind the A's for third place in the American League West. Haren, who lost for the third time in his last four decisions,allowed five runs on 12 hits in four and two-third innings. Itwas Haren's shortest outing of the season. "Haren's been so good for so long that when he gives up a fewruns it stands out," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "I don'tthink he got hit that hard. He seemed to give up a lot of hitsbut they had a lot of balls that found holes. He's stillleading the league in ERA and that stands out to me more thanwins and losses ... especially on a team that's below .500." The Oakland pitching staff has now allowed 85 runs in the last13 games. Oakland's first runs came in the eighth after Francisco loadedthe bases. Jack Hannahan scored on a Jack Cust flyout to leftand an error by shortstop Michael Young on a line drive by MikePiazza scored Shannon Stewart. The A's threatened again in the ninth with runners at first andthird and no one out. Hannahan scored Nick Swisher with asacrifice fly but Joaquin Benoit came in for Texas to record thefinal two outs. Mark Ellis had a hit and three walks for the A's who had onlyfour hits on the night. Ellis is hitting .439 (18-41)with a homerun and seven RBI in his last 10 games against theRangers.
