Max Scherzer, Texas Rangers Beat Athletics for Eighth Straight Win

The Texas Rangers extended its winning streak to eight games on Tuesday, defeating the Oakland Athletics, 6-1.

The Rangers (68-46) have not lost since the trade deadline on Aug. 1, when they acquired three pitchers, one of which started on Tuesday. With the victory, the Rangers matched last season's win total.

Max Scherzer (11-4) won his second game as a Rangers starter and gave up just three hits.

The Rangers offense jumped on the Athletics (32-82) with a three-run fourth inning, giving them a 4-0 lead at the time and putting them in control of the contest.

With the victory, the Rangers remained three games ahead of the Houston Astros in the American League West. The Astros (65-49) defeated the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.

Here are the highlights from Tuesday's game.

Rangers 6, Athletics 1

Here are the key takeaways from the Texas Rangers' win over the Oakland Athletics.

Mad Max in Control

Max Scherzer made his second start for the Rangers and improved to 2-0 as a Rangers starter. He threw seven innings, giving up just three hits and a run. He gave up his only run on JJ Bleday's solo home run in the fourth inning. Scherzer also struck out six and walked two.

Brock Burke threw two scoreless innings to end the game.

Rangers Take Control in Fourth

While Ezequiel Duran's single put the Rangers ahead, 1-0, in the first, it was a three-run fourth inning that gave the Rangers a 4-0 lead and put them in control.

Sam Huff doubled home Robbie Grossman, Marcus Semien singled home Huff and Corey Seager drove in Semien with a double, as Athletics starter JP Sears (2-9) lasted just four innings.

Seager hit a solo home run later in the game to finish 3-for-5 with two RBI. Huff, Grossman, Semien and Nathaniel Lowe each had two hits.

Next Up

The Rangers seek a series sweep and their ninth straight win when they face the Athletics at 2:37 p.m. on Wednesday. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery (7-9, 3.40), who the other starting pitcher acquired at the trade deadline, will make his second start since joining Texas. The Athletics have not designated their starter.

Thursday is an off day for the Rangers before they start a three-game series at San Francisco on Friday. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy led the Giants to three World Series titles during his tenure with the team.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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