By MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Cole Hamels pitched six innings to earn his fifth consecutive win, Prince Fielder hit his 22nd homer and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 8-1 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.
The Rangers moved a season-high 14 games over .500 and extended their lead to 3 1/2 games over the idle Astros in the AL West. Texas heads to Houston to begin a three-game series on Friday.
Adrian Beltre drove in three runs, and Delino DeShields had three hits and two RBIs for Texas.
Hamels (11-8) gave up an unearned run in the second but was otherwise stellar while improving to 5-1 in 10 starts with the Rangers. Hamels allowed four hits, walked three and struck out two.
Chris Bassitt (1-7) gave up three runs and six hits in three innings. He walked one and struck out three in his first start since Aug. 26.
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