Parker Throws Near No-Hitter For A's

OAKLAND, Calif. - Rookie Jarrod Parker held Texas hitless until the eighth inning and Brandon Inge drove in four runs in Oakland's eight-run second inning as the Athletics beat the Rangers 12-1 on Monday night.
   Parker (2-2) easily worked his way through baseball's highest-scoring offense in his ninth career start before Michael Young grounded a single through the middle for Texas' first hit leading off the eighth.
   Parker got a warm ovation from the crowd of 10,120 and then recovered to get out of the inning on two more pitches -- a popup by Nelson Cruz and an inning-ending double play from David Murphy. That ended the night for Parker, who allowed one hit, walked three and struck out six.
   Parker was the no. 9 overall pick in the MLB draft out of Norwell high school by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007. He was traded this past off-season to Oakland.