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Rangers eye five straight wins in meeting with A's

Jul 8, 2011 - 3:04 PM (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers take aim at a fifth straight win this evening when they continue a four-game series with the Oakland Athletics at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The Rangers made quick work of the A's on Thursday, as Derek Holland twirled his second shutout in just over a month, leading Texas to a 6-0 win.

"He was outstanding, pounded the strike zone from the very first pitch and never looked back," Texas manager Ron Washington said of Holland's performance.

The gem made fast work of the series opener, as Kurt Suzuki had the most success against Holland, singling twice. Holland (7-4), who also pitched a shutout on June 4th at Cleveland, loaded the bases in the ninth, but worked out of trouble to finish off his third career complete game. He allowed four hits, struck out seven and walked two.

However, the game was marred by the death of a male fan, who fell approximately 20 feet from the left field lower reserved seats to an area behind the left field wall.

"We are deeply saddened to learn that the man who fell has passed away as a result of this tragic accident," said Rangers president Nolan Ryan. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Oakland manager Bob Melvin said word spread quickly of the incident that puts everything in perspective.

"Baseball is not very important when something like that happens," said Melvin.

A video replay showed the man tumbling over the railing while reaching for a foul ball thrown his way by Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton in the second inning.

Hamilton drove in a season-high four runs and Michael Young hit a solo home run for the Rangers, who have won five of their last seven.

"We spoke to the ballclub, they understood what has happened and we spoke to Josh," Ryan added. "I think as any of us would be, Josh is very distraught over this, as the entire team is."

Rich Harden (1-1) suffered the defeat in just his second start of the season. He gave up five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five frames. Oakland has lost three of four.

Heading to the hill for the Rangers tonight will be left-hander C.J. Wilson, who is 8-3 with a 3.02 ERA. Wilson did not get a decision on Sunday against Florida, but pitched well, as he allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in 7 1/3 frames of a 6-4 loss.

Wilson has lost to the A's twice already this season and is just 2-5 lifetime against them with a 4.42 ERA in 33 games, just four of which though have been starts.

Oakland, meanwhile, will counter with an All-Star left-hander of its own in Gio Gonzalez, who has won his last three decisions. Gonzalez beat the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, limiting them to a run and five hits in seven innings.

Gonzalez beat the Rangers the last time he faced them and is 4-1 in nine games (seven starts) against Texas with a 2.18 ERA.

The A's have won four of seven from the Rangers this season.