Rangers drop series to A’s; magic number still 5

ARLINGTON — The Athletics, trying to avoid a second straight last-place finish, are making it tough on the first-place Rangers in the final month of the season.

Khris Davis, who has been pummeling the Rangers all season, hit two home runs and the Athletics won for the second straight game with a 5-2 victory on Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Park. The Athletics have won six of their last seven and they are 8-8 against the Rangers with three games left next weekend in Oakland.

Regardless of who wins between the Mariners and the Astros, the Rangers will finish Sunday with an 8 1/2-game lead in the American League West with 12 games to play. The Rangers magic number is five as they go into a three-game series with the Angels beginning Monday in Arlington.

Left-hander Ross Detwiler earned his second victory for the Athletics by holding his former team to two runs on five hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. He left with a 3-2 lead with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Colby Lewis took the loss for the Rangers in his second start since coming off the disabled list by allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed just three hits, but walked five, including three in the Athletics two-run sixth inning.

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