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Rangers-Athletics Preview

Sep 24, 2010 - 6:03 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Texas (84-67) at Oakland (76-75), 10:05 p.m. EDT

If the Texas Rangers are to clinch to their first AL West title in 11 years in Oakland this weekend, they must find a way to score some runs.

After being shut out for the second time in three games, the Rangers look to avoid a fourth straight loss to the Athletics on Friday night.

Texas (84-68) has a seven-game lead over second-place Oakland, and can claim its first division title and postseason appearance since 1999 with a split of this four-game set.

That might not be easy for the Rangers, who have scored 14 runs while going 2-5 on their 10-game road trip. They had one hit - a first-inning single by Nelson Cruz - in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the A's.

"We've been in some tough situations before and we'll figure a way to get out of this," manager Ron Washington said. "We just haven't scored any runs. I don't think it's frustration. We have to get it done between the lines."

Texas has been outscored 30-13 while losing five of its last six meetings with Oakland (77-75).

"There's no obese lady in sight and I can't hear any singing," said Dallas Braden, Thursday's starter and winning pitcher for the Athletics.

Especially if slugger Josh Hamilton is unable to return from a rib injury, a lack of offense could continue to plague the Rangers in the regular season's final week. Michael Young is 1 for 16 in his last four games, while Ian Kinsler and Vladimir Guerrero are a combined 0 for 17 in their last two contests.

On Friday, the Rangers will get their first look at Oakland starter Bobby Cramer (2-0, 2.45), who tries to win his third straight start to begin his major league career.

After allowing one run in 5 1-3 innings to beat Kansas City in his debut Sept. 13, the left-hander gave up two runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-2 win at Minnesota on Sunday.

"I'm just so excited to be here," Cramer, who turns 31 next month, told the Athletics' official website.

Texas counters with Tommy Hunter (12-4, 3.92), who is 0-2 with a 5.50 ERA in his last three starts but has never lost to Oakland.

The right-hander has not won since beating Kansas City on Sept. 1, but has limited the opposition to two runs in each of his last his two outings. He lasted six innings in a 2-1 loss at Seattle on Sunday.

Hunter is 3-0 with a 5.26 ERA in four starts versus Oakland. He gave up three runs in 7 2-3 innings of a 7-3 home win over the A's on Aug. 27.

Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki is 4 for 10 with two doubles against Hunter and batting .333 in his last seven games overall. He's helped the A's win four of five to make up three games on Texas in five days.

"There's a good feeling in the clubhouse. Guys are trying to win every game," manager Bob Geren said. "They're playing extremely well, extremely hard."

Oakland is 9-7 versus Texas this season, including 5-2 at home.