Reddick's big night help Athletics lower magic number to 1 to clinch playoff berth

Arlington, TX - Josh Reddick hit a solo home run and drove in three as the Oakland Athletics took a 6-2 win over the Texas Rangers in the second of a season-ending four-game set.

Oakland stayed a game behind Kansas City for the top wild card spot in the American League, but the A's will clinch a playoff spot if the Mariners lose to the Angels later on Friday.

Adam Dunn drove in a pair of runs and Jed Lowrie finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Athletics, who had lost three straight coming in.

Scott Kazmir (15-9) gave up two runs -- one earned -- on four hits over seven innings to snap a four-decision losing streak.

Leonys Martin and Ryan Rua each drove in a run for the Rangers, who had won 12 of 13 coming into the game. Nick Tepesch (5-11) allowed six runs -- five earned -- on six hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Texas got on the board in the first as Martin led off with a single, stole second and scored on a double by Rua.

Oakland, though, got two back in the third on a two-run double from Dunn for a 2-1 lead.

Reddick led off the fourth with his 12th home run of the season for a 3-1 advantage.

In the fifth, Josh Donaldson singled and Brandon Moss walked before a double from Lowrie brought home Donaldson. Reddick then singled in the other two runners for a 6-1 lead.

A run-scoring groundout from Martin in the fifth cut the Rangers' deficit to four, but the team didn't put another man in scoring position the rest of the game.