MLB: Texas 6, Oakland 1

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Joaquin Arias, filling in for injured all-star second baseman Ian Kinsler, had two of Texas' 14 hits Thursday and the Rangers downed Oakland 6-1.

Arias drove in the first two runs of the game with an opening-inning single and Hank Blalock hit a solo homer to help the Rangers move 4 ½ games in front Oakland in the fight for second place in the AL West.

Second place is all there is left to play for after the Los Angeles Angels wrapped up the division title Wednesday.

Blalock's homer was only his sixth of the season after he spent much of the year on the disabled list.

Dustin Nippert (3-4), a September call-up, had his second straight outstanding outing for the Rangers. He gave up a run on four hits with seven strikeouts over five innings.

That effort followed his seven scoreless innings against Seattle last week.

Dallas Braden (5-4) took the loss, allowing five runs on nine hits in four innings.