Athletics Top Rangers 8-1 on Three First-Inning Homers

In Arlington, Texas, on Friday night, the Oakland Athletics erupted for three solo home runs in the first inning en route to an 8-1 victory over the Texas Rangers, taking the opener of a three-game series between the American League West contenders.

The Athletics, who entered the game tied with Texas atop the division standings, jumped on Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi for three quick runs. Nick Kurtz led off by sending Eovaldi's first pitch of the night over the right-field wall for his fifth homer of the season. After Shea Langeliers grounded out, Carlos Cortes turned on a 2-0 splitter and launched a 390-foot drive to right-center, his fourth long ball this year and third in his last four games. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a homer to straightaway center on Eovaldi's next offering, his third of the season. The three homers came on just seven pitches, marking the fastest such outburst for Oakland since three first-inning shots against the Atlanta Braves on July 8 last season.

Texas responded in the fourth inning, plating its only run. Corey Seager doubled with one out and came around on Josh Jung's two-out, ground-rule double to right. Eovaldi then settled in, retiring 11...