Timing Is Right for Nevin, Rangers

With all his teammates waiting at home plate, Phil Nevin slammed his batting helmet to the ground and jumped into the middle of the celebration.

“It’s awesome,” the Texas Rangers’ designated hitter said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that emotional on a baseball field. It’s a great feeling. You round third and the whole team is waiting for you.”

With one swing of the bat Thursday night at Arlington, Texas, Nevin gave the Rangers an 8-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics and shook off an offensive drought that had been so bad he didn’t even play the previous two games.

Nevin’s homer to center field with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning came off Huston Street (1-2). It ended an 0-for-17 slump and was the first ball Nevin hit over the fence in 22 games. His last homer came a month ago Thursday, when he hit his seventh -- the most he ever had in April.

“I feel great for him. He’s a veteran guy who wants to win and contribute,” Rangers Manager Buck Showalter said. “Tonight, he did.”

Oakland, which blew a seven-run lead for only the third time in franchise history, has lost six in a row.

Rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler, activated before the game after sitting out six weeks because of a dislocated left thumb, homered twice for the Rangers. His first came in the sixth right after Rod Barajas hit a grand slam. The other homer, with one out in the eighth, tied the score at 7-7.

The Rangers (24-23) got back over .500 and lead the West Division by two games over the Athletics (22-25).

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Baltimore 2, Seattle 0 -- Struggling Rodrigo Lopez (2-7) yielded two hits in 7 1/3 innings at Seattle.

Lopez retired 18 consecutive batters from Raul Ibanez’s first-inning single to Richie Sexson’s single with two outs in the seventh.

Lopez, who struck out four, ended a seven-game losing streak, the longest of his six-season career.

Closer Chris Ray replaced Lopez after his first walk, to Jeremy Reed with one out in the eighth. Ray retired pinch-hitter Roberto Petagine when rookie left fielder Nick Markakis made a charging, diving catch of a line drive, and then struck out Yuniesky Betancourt.

Ray finished the ninth for his 12th save in 12 chances.

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Boston 4, Tampa Bay 1 -- Josh Beckett struck out seven in six shutout innings at Boston for his fourth consecutive win.

Beckett (7-1) yielded only an infield single through 4 1/3 innings and left after 101 pitches with a 3-0 lead, having given up four hits and a walk.

Keith Foulke pitched a scoreless seventh and Mike Timlin ran into trouble before Jonathan Papelbon got the last four outs for his 16th save in 16 opportunities.