June 30 (Reuters) – The Texas Rangers became the first team
in the Major Leagues to reach 50 wins this season by dismantling
the Oakland Athletics 7-2 in Arlington Texas on Saturday, giving
rookie starter Martin Perez a winning debut.
The Rangers fell behind in the second and fourth innings but
exploded in the bottom of the fifth to take charge and improve
to 50-29 for the season.
Adrian Beltre (14) and Josh Hamilton (25) both added to
their home run tally, relegating the A’s to 37-42, now 13 games
adrift of Texas in the American League West.
The home side trailed 1-0 and 2-1 early in the game but
rallied with a five-run burst in the bottom of the fifth,
including a three-run blast by Hamilton, to surge clear.
The highly touted Perez, in his first time out as a starter,
managed five-and-a-third innings pitched, allowing two runs and
six hits while striking out five.
(Reporting by Ben Everill in Los Angeles; Editing by John
O’Brien)
