Jarrod Parker Earns Huge Win Vs. Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas -  Yoenis Cespedes had one of Oakland's two triples in the first inning and the Athletics jumped out to a quick lead in a 9-3 victory at Texas on Wednesday night to pull within three games of the AL West-leading Rangers.
   Norwell graduate Jarrod Parker started on the mound for Oakland and gave up three earned runs in six innings to pick up the victory. Parker struck out eight and improves to 12-8 on the season with the win.
   The Athletics, who had played five consecutive one-run games, led 5-0 only eight batters into the game. They chased Martin Perez (1-3) before the rookie left-hander got all the way through the batting order.
   Oakland has won two of three in the series that wraps up with a day game Thursday. After that, the A's go home for a three-game weekend series against Seattle before hosting the Rangers for the final three games of the regular season next week.
   Stephen Drew had four of Oakland's 16 hits, including a double leading off the game before scoring on Cespedes' triple into the right-center gap.