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Khris Davis homers again as Oakland Athletics' sweep Texas Rangers

By Steve R. Waterhouse, The Sports Xchange
Oakland A's Billy Burns breaks his bat as he grounds out in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California on May 18, 2016. Photo by Terry Schmitt
1 of 4 | Oakland A's Billy Burns breaks his bat as he grounds out in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California on May 18, 2016. Photo by Terry Schmitt | License Photo

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Khris Davis is getting used to his new home, and the Oakland A's are the beneficiaries.

Davis homered for the fourth time in two days Wednesday, and the A's completed their first home sweep of the season with an 8-1 victory over the Texas Rangers to cap a three-game series at the Oakland Coliseum.

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The Athletics' previous sweeps came on the road against the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees. Oakland swept a series of three or more games at the Coliseum for the first time since taking four in a row against the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2014.

Davis, the hero Tuesday night's win with three home runs, including a walk-off grand slam, went deep again Wednesday and finished 2-for-2 with a two walks and two runs. Davis has 12 on the year, including nine in his past 15 games.

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Oakland acquired Davis from the Milwaukee Brewers for two minor-leaguers in a February trade.

"Being more comfortable and more familiar with my surroundings and experience, too," Davis said of the recent surge.

A's left-hander Rich Hill (6-3) went six innings, allowing one run on three hits and one walk. He struck out six. Texas' lone run came the sixth inning on a two-out single to left by Prince Fielder that scored Ian Desmond, who walked and easily stole second without a throw.

"The guys made awesome plays out there," Hill said. "When everyone contributes and everyone plays with that conviction, it's fun to see."

The Rangers were swept for the second time this year. They lost a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox in April.

Texas left-handed starter Martin Perez struggled early on, yielding three runs in the first inning, then settled in quite nicely. He retired 13 of 15 batters from the second to the sixth inning. Perez (1-4) went seven innings, allowed four runs and eight hits, walked two and struck out three.

However, his first-inning struggles set the tone.

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With one out, Billy Burns singled and Josh Reddick reached on a walk. Then the A's did something unconventional for them, as Burns and Reddick advanced on a double steal. That set the stage for the hot-hitting Danny Valencia, who singled in Burns and Reddick. Valencia came around on a two-out single by Marcus Semien.

Valencia finished 3-for-4 with a two RBIs and two runs. He is 15-for-33 (.455) with six home runs and 12 RBIs in nine games since his return from the disabled list.

The A's (19-22) added plenty of insurance with a four-run eighth inning that included a Semien RBI single.

After Hill exited, Fernando Rodriguez threw two scoreless innings, and Andrew Triggs tossed a perfect ninth to complete the win.

The Rangers (22-19) managed only four hits, two of them by Desmond.

This was about as complete a game as the A's have put together this year. They have won four straight and five of the last six. Oakland manager Bob Melvin pointed out Sunday's win at Tampa Bay as the key.

"To be able to build off the Tampa series, after what was a real tough road trip for us, I think we talked about earlier today especially that last game kind of carried over into this series," Melvin said.

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The Rangers had trouble with Hill all day. The first hit was an infield single off Valencia at third base by Elvis Andrus, who returned from a one-game suspension for his actions in Texas' brawl with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. He went 1-for-3.

The Rangers are 12-13 in their past 25 games.

NOTES: Athletics RHP Henderson Alvarez had an MRI on his shoulder, and results were inconclusive. The team is seeking a second opinion by Dr. James Andrews. There is no timetable for Alvarez's return. ... Oakland INF Jed Lowrie (shin) is likely to play one or two rehab games before coming off the disabled list May 25. ... The A's have 11 players on the DL, the most at one time since 1989. ... Texas SS Elvis Andrus was back in the starting lineup after serving a one-game suspension related to the Rangers-Blue Jays brawl Sunday. ... After giving up a two-out, game-winning grand slam Tuesday night, Rangers RHP Shawn Tolleson was relieved of the closer role in favor of Sam Dyson, who had been the setup man. It was Tolleson's third blown save in his last five opportunities.

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