By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics defeated the Texas Rangers on Sunday night by the score of 9-3. The A’s combined efficient hitting with solid pitching to win the third and final game of the series. The loss dropped the Rangers 24.5 games behind the division leading Athletics.

The A’s used a five run second inning to propel them to victory. Josh Reddick popped out to lead off the inning. Jed Lowrie then drew a walk. Eric Sogard walked to put runners at first and second. Craig Gentry reached base on a throwing error charged to the pitcher Miles Mikolas that allowed Lowrie to score. John Jaso hit a single to center field driving in Sogard. Stephen Vogt hit a double to right field that drove home Gentry. Yoenis Cespedes hit his 24^th double of the season driving in Jaso and Vogt.  By the time inning was over, the A’s led the game 5-0.

The Rangers did not remain scoreless for long. With one out in the second inning, Chris Gimenez singled off A’s starter Scott Kazmir. Former Oakland Athletic Adam Rosales then hit a 1-1 change up over the left field wall for his first home run of the season. After two full innings, the A’s led the Rangers 5-2.

The A’s put up a crooked number in the top of the fifth inning. Josh Donaldson led off the inning with a single to center. With one man out, Eric Sogard hit a double to right field allowing Donaldson to score. Craig Gentry then walked. John Jaso doubled (17) to center field driving in Sogard and Gentry. That made the game 8-2 in favor of the A’s.

Oakland would score one more time in sixth inning. Yoenis Cespedes led the inning off with a single. Cespedes moved up to second when Moss grounded out. Donaldson popped out bringing Josh Reddick to the plate with two out and a runner at second. Reddick hit a line drive single to right field that allowed the speedy Cespedes to score the A’s ninth run of the game.

The Rangers scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but that was last run they would score giving the A’s the 9-3 win.

Oakland started Scott Kazmir worked five innings giving up two runs (both earned) on seven hits. He struck out two batters and walked two men while issuing one home run. Kazmir threw 94 pitches (62 strikes) in the 100 degree heat in Arlington. O’Flaherty, Cook, Scribner and Abad worked a combined four innings of relief to close out the game for the Athletics.

Scott Kazmir’s record improved to 12-3 on the season. The A’s record is now 65-39 giving them two game lead over the Los Angeles Angels who also won on Sunday.

Callaspo off the DL … Alberto Callaspo has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list as of Sunday. To make room for Callaspo on the roster, the A’s sent first baseman Nate Freiman to Triple-A Sacramento.

Callaspo went on the disabled list on July 12 with a right hamstring sprain. He appeared in one rehab game with Stockton on Saturday night. Callaspo did not start the final game in Texas.

Freiman was batting .212 with one home run and six RBI in 14 games with the Athletics. He hit .277 with 14 home runs in 76 games for the River Cats before being called up to Oakland.

Crisp to Oakland … The A’s sent outfielder Coco Crisp back to Oakland after the Sunday night game in Texas. Crisp will have further examinations of his sore neck. Crisp did not start the final game in Texas due to the neck problem.

Up next for the A’s … The A’s will begin a three game series with the Houston Astros on Monday night. RHP Jesse Chavez will start for Oakland while the Astros will send LHP Brett Oberholtzer to the hill. On Tuesday evening, Jeff Samardzija will face off against Scott Feldman. Jason Hammel will start the Wednesday afternoon finale in Houston.