Athletics 5 - 4 Rangers
Final/10
  for this game

Ka'aihue lifts A's over Rangers in extras

May 17, 2012 - 11:39 PM

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Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Kila Ka'aihue ripped a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 10th inning as the Athletics held off the Rangers, 5-4, in the finale of a two-game set in Arlington on Thursday.

Jonny Gomes reached on an infield single to start the 10th and pinch-hitter Daric Barton followed two batters later with a base hit before Ka'aihue scorched a single to right off of Mike Adams (0-2), plating Gomes from third to give the A's a one-run advantage.

Ryan Cook (1-0) got his first major league victory after tossing two scoreless innings in relief while Brian Fuentes recorded his third save of the year for retiring the Rangers in the bottom of the 10th as Oakland snapped a two-game skid.

"Everybody, for the most part, gets in the game," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "We got contributions from the starter, the bullpen, guys off the bench. It was a great team win."

Josh Reddick belted a solo shot for Oakland, while Mitch Moreland went deep twice for the Rangers, who have lost three of their last four games.

Oakland struck quickly in the first as Cliff Pennington and Reddick stroked consecutive one-out singles before Gomes followed with a double into left field to score Pennington for a 1-0 lead.

Kurt Suzuki then followed suit, ripping a double into the gap in left-center field to score Reddick and Gomes for a 3-0 advantage.

After Mike Napoli ripped a one-out single in the fourth, Moreland slapped a two-run shot the other way to bring the Rangers within 3-2.

"I just tried to look for something up," remarked Moreland. "I was able to barrel a couple of balls and hit them pretty good."

Moreland's second homer of the day tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth before the Rangers took the lead later in the frame.

Craig Gentry doubled and Ian Kinsler singled before Elvis Andrus attempted a suicide-squeeze. Andrus popped up the bunt and Brandon McCarthy made a diving effort off the mound, but home plate umpire Laz Diaz ruled that McCarthy trapped the ball, allowing Gentry to score and Andrus to reach first safely as the Rangers took a 4-3 lead.

Oakland then tied the game in the seventh on Reddick's tenth home run of the season before Ka'aihue put the A's ahead for good in the 10th.

Game Notes

Cook has thrown 19.2 scoreless innings to start the season, setting a franchise record for most scoreless innings to start a season. Jim Corsi held the previous record for tossing 18.1 scoreless innings from April 27-June 5, 1995...Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton had his 16-game hit streak snapped as he went 0-for-2 off the bench...Melvin was ejected in the sixth for arguing the call on Andrus' bunt.






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