The Texas Rangers are even further behind the Oakland Athletics as they continue their struggles in the month of September.  Their 9-8 loss on Friday night put them 4.5 games behind the A's in the American League West race.  Their lead on the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL wildcard race is now down to just one game.

Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
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Texas sent starter Derek Holland (Pictured on the Left) to the mound in hopes to end the woes that have plagued the Rangers as of late.  He would have no such luck however as he could only manage to go just three innings while giving up six runs on eight hits.  Oakland's start Dan Straily on the other hand had the Rangers number as he went just over five innings and only surrendered two runs on two hits on his way to the victory.  He also struck out four Texas batters in the contest.

The Texas offense had another rough night until the eighth inning as they exploded for six runs to bring the score to 9-8.  They finally got going as they added five hits in that inning but it would be too little too late as A's shut the door in the ninth to earn the win.

They will need to get their act together if they want a chance at the AL west title.  If they continue to slump for too long, they may end up playing themselves right out of the playoffs.  The teams will play game two of their weekend series tomorrow as they will send ace Yu Darvish to the mound opposite Oakland's starter Bartolo Calon.  First pitch set for 12:05 pm on Saturday from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and can be seen on FOX Sports SW.

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