OAKLAND — While Bruce Maxwell’s decision to kneel for the anthem has taken center stage over the past couple of days, the A’s quietly keep providing hope for next season by tearing through their opposition as the season comes to a close.
A five-run outburst in the fifth inning provided Jharel Cotton with plenty of support in Sunday’s 8-1 win over the Texas Rangers in front of 18,601 fans at the Coliseum. The victory sealed a three-game sweep of the Rangers, effectively crushing their playoff aspirations as the A’s pushed them to 5 1/2 games back in the wild card race with seven games remaining.