OAKLAND — The Athletics snapped a three-game losing streak utilizing extra-base power and the luxury of using closer Mason Miller with a five-run lead in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday at the Coliseum. Shea Langeliers drove in five runs with a homer, a homer, triple and double and Miller went the last two scoreless innings to preserve a 9-4 win against the Texas Rangers. The Athletics, who also got home runs from Brett Harris (his third) and Brent Rooker (his ninth), improved to 18-20.
Oakland had eight extra-base hits in all. Winning pitcher J.P.
Sears (3-2) was lifted by manager Mark Kotsay with a one-run lead and two outs in the sixth after giving up a single to Andrew Knizner. He gave up seven hits and four earned runs with a walk and three strikeouts. Sears threw 88 pitches, 56 of which were strikes.
Miller, who was warming up to come in with a 6-4 lead, lost a save opportunity when Rooker hit a three-run home run, but he came on to finish off Texas after not having pitched since May 1 and a save against Pittsburgh. Austin Adams pitched 1 1/3 innings as the set-up bridge to Miller. Miller retired the side in order in both innings with four strikeouts, getting Marcus Semien on a grounder to short to end it.
Texas starter Michael Lorenzen (2-2) departed with a 6-4 deficit after six innings, giving up six earned runs with two walks and six strikeouts. Cole Winn came on in the seventh, and after hitting Abraham Toro with a pitch and walking J.J.
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