Hank Blalock drove in four runs Wednesday, two of them with a fourth-inning homer, and Texas overcame the loss of a four-run lead to defeat Oakland 9-8. The Rangers won for only the third time in 10 games and inched within 6 1/2 games of the division-leading Los Angeles Angels in the American League West.

Scott Feldman and three relievers combined on a seven-hitter Saturday, carrying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Feldman (17-5) gave up two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. Neither Darren O'Day nor C.J.

Hank Blalock, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz delivered all the Texas runs with homers Friday, and the Rangers held off Seattle 6-4. Blalock hit a solo homer in the second to bring the Rangers within one, Young hit a three-run blast in the third to put Texas in front for good and Cruz added a two-run shot in the eighth that turned out to be the game-winning blow. Scott Feldman (8-2) won his third straight decision by surrendering two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. After Seattle scored twice in the eighth to cut its deficit to two runs, Frank Francisco worked around a two-out walk to earn his 15th save. Brandon Morrow (0-4) remained winless, giving up the homers to Blalock and Young in a five-inning stint. Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki almost made a sensational catch of Young's home run.

A three-run homer by Andruw Jones keyed a six-run fifth inning for the Texas Rangers, who went on to knock off the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 8-5 Tuesday. Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in a pair of runs for the Rangers, who won for the sixth time in seven games and beat the division-rival Angels for the sixth time this season. Derek Holland (3-5) pitched two innings for the win in relief of Dustin Nippert, who made his first start after beginning the season on the disabled list with a strained back. John Lackey (3-4) took the loss after giving up six runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Hank Blalock hit a two-run homer and Tommy Hunter celebrated his 23rd birthday with his first major league victory Friday in a 3-1 Texas win over Tampa Bay. Hunter (1-1) made his sixth start in the majors and gave up a run on three hits with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Three Texas relievers tossed 3 2/3 hitless innings, with Frank Francisco claiming his ninth save. Hunter has moved into the rotation to replace Matt Harrison, who was put on the disabled list last week with biceps inflammation. The Rangers, who had just five hits, won their third straight after losing three in a row. Blalock put Texas in front with his homer in the fourth off Scott Kazmir (4-5).