Welcome Back, Texas Rangers Offense! Semien Leads Rout of A's

ARLINGTON, Texas –The Texas Rangers offense had its best game in nearly a month to beat the Oakland Athletics 9-4 Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Field.

The Rangers (78-64) last scored nine or more runs on Aug. 14, two days before their eight-game losing stretch began.

Marcus Semien had four hits and homered twice, including back-to-back homers with Corey Seager during a four-run sixth, to lead the 12-hit attack. It's the first 10-plus hit game for Texas since Sept. 3.

"That's what we needed. We want to score runs like we did in the first half," Semien said. "We want more of that."

The Rangers are a half-game back of the Seattle Mariners for the third wild-card spot and for second place in the AL West. The Mariners lost to the Rays on Sunday. The Rangers remain three back of the first-place Astros in the division.

Texas opens a crucial four-game series in Toronto at 6:07 p.m. Monday. The Blue Jays currently hold the second wild-card spot, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Rangers.

"Great job by the offense, the top of the order, what a day they had," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's good to win a series, it's been a while."

The last-place Athletics (44-99) scored four runs in the third to take a 4-3 lead against starter Jon Gray. 

The Rangers scored three in the first on the first of two solo homers by Semien and consecutive doubles by Mitch Garver and Robbie Grossman.

Nathaniel Lowe's two-run single put the Rangers ahead 5-4 in the fifth. 

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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