ARLINGTON, Texas _ Adrian Beltre's fifth-inning grand slam put the Rangers in front and Martin Perez and the bullpen made it hold up as Texas took the series opener against the Oakland Athletics, 5-2, on Monday night at Globe Life Park.
Martin Perez allowed an unearned run in the first and a leadoff homer in the second to Ryon Healy but settled down and held the A's to five hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out six. He improved to 8-8 with the win.
Matt Bush pitched a scoreless eighth and Sam Dyson earned his 27th save with a scoreless ninth.
The Rangers scored a run in the fourth on Elvis Andrus' two-out single to pull within 2-1. With one out in the fifth, Shin-Soo Choo was hit by a pitch and Ian Desmond followed with a single. Carlos Beltran's single to left to load the bases for Beltre. Beltre's grand slam on a 2-1 pitch gave the Rangers a 5-2 lead against left-hander Ross Detwiler.
It was his 10th career grand slam and second with the Rangers. His first with the Rangers came in the second game with club on April 2, 2011.
