MLB: Oakland 4, Texas 3

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OAKLAND, Calif., July 18 (UPI) -- Brandon Hicks' first major league homer, in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday, sent the Oakland Athletics to a 4-3 win over Texas.

The A's erased a 3-1 deficit in the seventh on a two-run double by Josh Reddick, and then went on to win it in the ninth when Hicks -- who had come into the game as a pinch-runner -- blasted a pitch from Michael Kirkman (0-1) into the right-center field seats.

The game-ending homer gave the A's their ninth walk-off win of season, the most in the majors, and allowed them to split the two-game series.

The clout made a winner of Ryan Cook (3-2), who blanked the Rangers in the top of the ninth despite allowing a single and a walk.

Brandon Inge went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the A's, who improved to 10-2 in July.

Michael Young, Nelson Cruz and Craig Gentry drove in runs for American League West-leading Texas.