Dallas Braden allows 1 hit in 8 innings, A’s beat Rangers 5-0 to slow Texas playoff push

Braden stalls Rangers, pitches A’s to 5-0 win

OAKLAND, Calif. — Dallas Braden allowed one hit in eight innings and the Oakland Athletics beat Texas 5-0 on Thursday night, stalling the Rangers’ push for their first AL West title since 1999.

Braden (10-13) outpitched Cliff Lee to end his four-game losing streak and keep Texas’ magic number at four for clinching the division.

The left-hander, who pitched a perfect game against Tampa Bay in May, retired 19 batters in a row after Nelson Cruz’s two-out single in the first inning. Ian Kinsler ended the streak by drawing a leadoff walk in the eighth. Braden walked two and struck out seven.

Lee (12-9) set down his first eight batters before an uncharacteristic bout of wildness. He walked his first two hitters in the fourth, marking the first time he’s walked consecutive batters in two years.