Oakland Athletics Get 3 In 2nd And Nothing Else, Lose To Texas 4-3

April 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) hits a two-RBI single scoring right fielder Josh Reddick (16, not pictured) and second baseman Eric Sogard (28, not pictured) against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers battled back from an early deficit, taking the lead onDonnie Murphy’s RBI single in the top of the eighth to beat the Oakland Athletics Monday at O.co Coliseum, 4-3.

The A’s (13-6) had taken a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second against Texas aceYu Darvish.

Brandon Moss—starting in left field in place ofYoenis Cespedes, out with a bruised heel—led off the inning with his third homer of the season to tie the game 1-1.Josh Reddickdrew a one-out walk and afterDaric Bartonstruck out,Eric Sogardcracked a double to right that advanced Reddick to third.

Coco Crisplined a single to left that scored Reddick and Sogard and the A’s had a 3-1 lead.

But A’s starterDan Strailycouldn’t hold it.

Texas (12-8) got a run back in the fourth on an RBI single by Kevin Kozmanoff and then tied it in the fifth on an RBI single byPrince Fielder.

Straily worked five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He allowed Shin-soo Choo’s solo homer with one-out in the top of the first.

Sean Doolittle(0-1) came on to start the eighth for Oakland and Kouzmanoff greeted him with a double to deep right field.Mitch Morelandsacrificed Kouzmanoff to third and Murphy delivered a base hit up the middle to give the Rangers the lead.

The A’s did get a runner to second base in the ninth, whenElvis Andrusthrew wildly to first after fieldingJed Lowrie’s ground ball, butJosh Donaldsonand Cespedes—who entered the game in the seventh as a pinch-hitter for Moss and remained in the game in left field—hit fly ball outs offJoakim Soriato end the game. Soria picked up his fourth save whileNeal Cotts(1-1) got the win with a scoreless inning of relief.

Ryan Cookallowed a hit and a strikeout in a scoreless sixth for the A’s,Fernando Abaddid the same in the seventh and Dan Otero allowed a hit and a walk with a strikeout while recording the final four outs. Doolittle allowed a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Crisp was 3-for-4 and Barton went 2-for-4 to pace the A’s nine-hit attack.

The series continues Tuesday. LeftyTommy Milone(0-1, 4.09 ERA) is scheduled to start for Oakland against right-handerNick Martinez(0-0, 4.50), who made his big-league debut at Tampa Bay on April 5 before being sent back to Triple-A Frisco. He is expected to be recalled Tuesday to replace injuredTanner Scheppersin the Texas rotation.

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