ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rookie Travis Buck hit his first career homer and finished with five r-b-i's as the Oakland Athletics crushed the Texas Rangers 16-to-4.
Buck had a three run double and Bobby Crosby doubled in two more
during an eight-run second inning.
Before breaking out against the Rangers, Oakland had scored 26
runs in its previous eight games.
Shannon Stewart and Nick Swisher also homered for the A's, who
have won four straight.
Joe Blanton allowed three runs over six innings and improved to
2-and-0. The loss went to Texas starter Brandon McCarthy who was
knocked out in the second after giving up six runs on four hits.
Texas has lost five of its last six under first-year manager Ron
Washington, a former Oakland coach.