Rangers beat A’s 8-3 to gain ground in AL West

OAKLAND, Calif. — Nelson Cruz shook off talk of a pending suspension to hit a tying two-run homer, Jurickson Profar added another two-run shot and the surging Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 8-3 on Friday night for their fifth straight win.

Cruz, who is among 14 players facing a possible suspension as part of Major League Baseball’s Biogenesis investigation, hit his 26th home run of the season in the second inning. Profar put the Rangers ahead 6-2 with his fourth homer in the fourth.

The Rangers, who were six games behind Oakland in the AL West earlier this week, are only 2½ games back.

Brandon Moss’ two-run double in the first gave the A’s the lead, but Oakland stranded 10 runners to lose its third in a row.

Tommy Milone (9-9) allowed six runs — including both homers — and nine hits in 3 2-3 innings.

Jason Frasor (2-2) tossed 1 1-3 scoreless innings of relief for the win.

After going 32 days without gaining ground on Oakland, the Rangers are making up for lost time. Texas has gained 3 ½ games in the division in four days.

Rangers manager Ron Washington also matched Bobby Valentine for the most wins by a manager in franchise history. Washington, the longtime A’s third-base coach, is 581-501 in seven seasons.

All the good vibes still come in the shadow of a looming investigation that could deliver a major setback.

MLB is prepared to issue two simultaneous announcements no later than Monday, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press earlier this week. One would list players who accept suspensions; the other would name those disciplined without deals, but who could challenge penalties before an arbitrator.

Most players face 50-game suspensions for their links to the now-closed Florida anti-aging clinic.

Barring a rainout this weekend, the Rangers would have exactly 50 games remaining as the head into play Monday at the Los Angeles Angels. If Cruz files a grievance, as a first offender, the penalty would be delayed until after a decision by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. But the lengthy legal process likely would risk his eligibility for the playoffs and the start of next season.

Cruz has said he hadn’t made any decision about a possible appeal.

Cruz cracked the tying homer just over the 400-foot marker in straightaway center in the second. As he trotted around the bases, the announced sellout crowd of 35,067 smothered him with boos — and each time he was announced at the plate.

A.J. Pierzynski drove in three runs, including a two-run single off Dan Otero in the seventh that put the Rangers ahead 8-3.

Alexi Ogando labored through four innings but allowed just three runs and four hits while walking five. He threw 92 pitches, including 60 in the first two innings, doing just enough to keep the Rangers in control.

Every A’s attempt to rally came up at least one hit short. Josh Donaldson grounded into a double play with two runners in the third, and pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo lined out to center with the bases loaded to end the fifth.

Cruz handed the A’s a run when Coco Crisp’s fly ball bounced off the heel of his glove near the wall in right for an RBI double that sliced Texas’ lead to 6-3. Martin replaced Cruz, who has been playing with a bruised left quadriceps, in right field to start the bottom of the eighth.

NOTES: Texas also won five in a row from June 19-23. ... Rangers SS Elvis Andrus extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the third inning. ... A’s opening day starter Brett Anderson, recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot, threw about 55 pitches against live hitters. The team will see how Anderson feels Saturday before deciding on his next step, which could be a rehab assignment. ... Jarrod Parker (6-6, 4.07) pitches for the A’s against Rangers righty Matt Garza (1-0, 1.88 ERA) on Saturday.