Carlos Cortes triple and Justin Sterner's clutch pitching lift Athletics to 2-1 win over Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Carlos Cortes had a two-run triple in the first inning, reliever Justin Sterner escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam to preserve a one-run lead in the sixth and the Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 in the rubber game of their series Sunday. Cortes' 106.3 mph liner off the glove of Evan Carter on the warning track in center field scored Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker, who drew consecutive two-out walks off Kumar Rocker. Athletics starter J.T. Ginn exited due to right arm soreness with one out in the fourth and a 2-0 lead. Rooker was back in the lineup in the cleanup spot as the designated hitter after missing 14 games with a right oblique strain. The two-time All-Star went 0 for 4. Cortes finished with three hits. Jacob Lopez was the second reliever after Ginn and gave up the first Texas run in the sixth. Josh Jung doubled and scored when Lopez's throw got past first baseman Nick Kurtz on Evan Carter's half-swing sacrifice bunt. The left-hander then walked Jake Burger and was replaced by Sterner, who gave up a bunt single to Josh Smith to load the bases. Sterner (1-2) struck out and before leadoff man flied out to center, drawing several fist pumps from the right-hander as he walked to the dugout. , the sixth pitcher for the Athletics, struck out one in a perfect ninth for his second save in two chances. Rocker (1-2) gave up six hits and two runs with three strikeouts in six innings.