Kendall Graveman hit hard early as A's fall to Joey Gallo, Rangers

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OAKLAND -- Cole Hamels struck out 11 in five innings, Joey Gallo hit his 50th home run in 204 games and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Texas third baseman Andre Beltre singled in the second to tie Rod Carew for most hits by a Latin-born player. Rougned Odor singled twice and drove in two runs, and Nomar Mazara added two hits and scored twice.

The Rangers ended a three-game losing streak this season and a nine-game skid at the Coliseum.

Hamels (1-1) bounced back from a rough start on opening day, dominating an A's lineup that had scored three or more runs in four of the first five games. He allowed four hits and walked three.

The left-hander recorded his first eight outs by strikeout. He yielded Chad Pinder's homer in the third and twice pitched out of jams while relying primarily on his cutter and changeup. Eight of his strikeouts came via the two pitches.

Alex Claudio and Chris Martin combined for three scoreless innings and Keone Kela finished for his first save this season.

The game was played in a mostly empty stadium in front of an announced crowd of 9,157. That was slightly more than the 7,416 for Monday's game - the fewest to attend an A's game at the Coliseum since 2003.

Matt Olson and Matt Chapman had two hits apiece for the A's.

Gallo connected on a 2-1 pitch from Kendall Graveman (0-1) in the second inning to become the 11th-fastest player in major league history to 50 homers. Gallo, who also went deep on Sunday, moved past Frank Robinson, who accomplished the feat in 213 games.

Beltre's hit was his 3,053rd in the majors. That matches Carew's mark for Latin players and 25th all-time, two shy of Rickey Henderson.

Graveman allowed four runs and eight hits. The A's opening-day starter has given up nine earned runs in 10 innings this season.

TRAINER'S ROOM:
Rangers: RHP Tony Barnette (lower back strain) threw 24 pitches during an intra-squad game in Frisco. Barnette is slated to make a rehab start Thursday. ... Catcher Cameron Rupp signed a minor league contract and was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.

Athletics: RHP Paul Blackburn, pegged to be the No. 3 starter, underwent a second MRI and continues to be bothered by forearm tightness.

UP NEXT:
RHP Doug Fister (1-0, 1.80 ERA) makes his second start for the Rangers on Wednesday. LHP Sean Manaea (0-1, 1.17 ERA) goes for the A's seeking his fourth win in eight career starts against Texas.

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