By Kahlil Najar

Jason Hammel (8-8) last less than six innings in Texas tonight and the A’s (63-39) lost to the Rangers (41-62) 4-1.  The A’s were able to spread seven hits throughout the night however Adrian Beltre had two hits and RBI tonight to lead the offensive charge for the Rangers.

Over his last eight starts Hammel is 0-3 and 2-5 with a 5.02 ERA. With the A’s Hammel has gone a combined 12 2/3 innings, given up 19 hits, 12 runs,  seven walks and only eight strikeouts. He has a high ERA at 7.12. A stark comparison to Jeff Samardzija who has been an ace from the beginning.

“The easy thing to do here is to start getting down on myself, but I’m not going to do that. Lot of good things tonight,” said Hammel on his night.

The Rangers got on the board first in the bottom of the second. Jim Adduci hit his third double of the season off of Hammel into centerfield and then J.P. Arencibia singled a line drive to left field and drove Adduci in to make it a 1-0 lead for the Rangers.

The Rangers added another run in the bottom of the third when Rios shot a single to left field and drove in Andrus who was already on base.

The A’s got their only run of the game in the top of the sixth when on back to back singles from Sogard and Jaso landed Sogard at third. Cespedes then came up to the plate and hit a single to left field and brought in Sogard to make it a 2-1 game.

The Rangers added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it a final of 4-1.

Eleven game winner Sonny Gray starts for the Athletics tomorrow against Nick Tepesch, game time 5:05 pm PST.

Game notes:

Oakland manager Bob Melvin successfully challenged to have two safe calls at first base overturned on replay. Arencibia was initially ruled safe on a pick off throw by Hammel in the fourth. Andrus was called safe on what would have been an infield single, but wound up the inning-ending out in the seventh.