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Rangers stay hot with Astros next

 
Published Sept. 25, 2015

OAKLAND, Calif. — Cole Hamels pitched six innings to earn his fifth consecutive win, Prince Fielder hit his 22nd homer and the Rangers beat the Athletics 8-1 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

Texas moved a season-high 14 games over .500 and extended its lead to 31/2 games over the idle Astros in the AL West. Texas heads to Houston to begin a three-game series tonight.

Delino DeShields had three hits and two RBIs for Texas.

"They've got some great energy right now, superior focus and they're on a mission," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Each one of them knows where we want to go. We're not there yet so they maintain that focus."

Fielder said: "That's the plan. It's nothing personal. We're not going out there to win friendly. We're just trying to win the game."

Hamels improved to 5-1 in 10 starts with the Rangers. Texas turned four double plays in the first five innings and outscored Oakland 26-10 in the series.

"I'm not normally a ground-ball pitcher, but it definitely helped out," Hamels said. "The defense was outstanding behind me."

The A's are 25 games under .500 for the first time since 1997.