Tyler Soderstrom’s two-run double in the fifth inning was all the visiting Athletics needed to defeat the anemic Texas Rangers 2-1 on Monday in the opener of a four-game series at Arlington, Texas.JT Sears (4-2) and three A’s relievers held the Texas offense at bay. The Rangers have dropped three straight games overall and three in a row to the Athletics, including the final two of a three-game road series last week.Texas has scored a total of 12 runs over the past six games, losing five of those contests, and they are last in the majors in runs scored (87).The A’s earned their fifth win in six games.Sears tossed 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, permitting five hits and no walks while striking out seven. Mason Miller pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth inning to earn his ninth save.Texas starter Patrick Corbin (2-1) allowed two runs on seven hits. He fanned five and walked one.The Athletics finally broke through in the fifth when Soderstrom’s two-out bloop double to right field plated Gio Urshela and Brent Rooker, who had doubled and walked, respectively. Soderstrom’s hit chased Corbin.
