By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, September 13, 2015

By losing 12-4 to Texas on Sunday, the Oakland Athletics became the first American League team to clinch a losing record. The A’s, division champions in 2012 and 2013 before reaching the postseason as a wild card last year, are 61-82.

With the victory, the Rangers maintained their 1-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Wild Card race, and trail AL West-leading Houston by 1 1/2 games. The Rangers (75-67) and Astros (77-65) start a key four-game series Monday in Arlington.

Adrian Beltre drove in five runs with a pair of home runs, and Shin-Soo Choo added another homer, his 18th of the season, to back winning pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez (3-5). Rougned Odor tacked on a three-run homer in the eighth inning for Texas.

This was Beltre’s 27th career multi-home run game.

The Athletics had two bright spots in the loss. One was Danny Valencia’s two-run triple; the other was rookie catcher Carson Blair hitting a home run for his first major league hit.

Oakland starter Felix Doubront (3-2) worked 4 1/3 innings, and struck out five, but also gave up seven runs on seven hits.

The Athletics road trip continues to Chicago, where they open a four-game series Monday against the White Sox. Sonny Gray starts on Monday, seeking his 14th win.

A’s NOTES: Relief pitcher Edward Mujica strained his right hamstring covering first on a infield grounder in the fifth inning. … C Stephen Vogt, who has been our for a week dealing with a groin injury, played catch in the outfield before the game.