Rangers Walk Over Athletics

Kevin Elster drew a bases-loaded walk from Bill Taylor with two out in the ninth inning as the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics, 1-0, on Friday night.

Rich Helling (12-4) tied teammate Aaron Sele and three others for the major-league lead in victories. The right-hander gave up four hits in eight innings in the Rangers’ fourth consecutive victory.

In the ninth, Taylor (3-7) gave up a leadoff single to Will Clark, a double to Juan Gonzalez and an intentional walk to Rusty Greer to load the bases. Ivan Rodriguez’s grounder forced pinch-runner Luis Alicea at the plate, and Lee Stevens flied to shallow left for the second out.

Elster, who failed in two previous tries to drive in runs, ran the count to 3-and-0 before taking a strike and then drawing the walk on an inside fastball.

John Wetteland got three outs for his 24th save.

The Rangers let two scoring opportunities slip away against Athletic starter Tom Candiotti.

Greer doubled to lead off the second inning and went to third on Rodriguez’s fly out to deep right, but was left stranded when Stevens struck out and Elster flied out. Singles by Rodriguez and Stevens put runners on first and third with one out in the seventh, but Elster grounded into a double play.

Oakland got runners as far as second only twice against Helling, both times with two outs.

In the eighth, a leadoff walk to Rickey Henderson and a sacrifice bunt by Bip Roberts moved Henderson to second with one out. After Ben Grieve was walked intentionally, Matt Stairs lined into a double play when second baseman Mark McLemore doubled up Grieve at first.

Candiotti went eight innings, giving up seven hits and striking out three without a walk.