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OAKLAND, Calif. - Nelson Cruz is trying to make every moment in the majors count right now. Every plate appearance could be his last for a while. Cruz shook off talk of a pending suspension to hit a tying two-run homer, Jurickson Profar added another two-run shot and the surging Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 8-3 on Friday night for their fifth straight win. "Its hard to deal with it. You have to be able to separate it," Cruz said. "Its kind of easy when you come to the ballpark to focus on the team and focus on winning." Cruz, who is among 14 players facing a possible suspension as part of Major League Baseballs Biogenesis investigation, hit his 26th home run of the season in the second inning to turn the momentum in the opener of a critical division series. Profar put the Rangers ahead 6-2 with his fourth homer in the fourth. The Rangers, who were six games behind Oakland in the AL West earlier this week, are only 2 1/2 games back. "The offence just woke up at the right time," Cruz said. "Weve been quiet for a while. Its a good time to wake up." Brandon Moss two-run double in the first gave the As the lead, but Tommy Milone struggled on the mound and Oakland stranded 10 runners to lose its third in a row. Milone (9-9) allowed six runs — including both homers — and nine hits in 3 2-3 innings. "That was pretty terrible," Milone said. "They did a good job of hitting my mistakes. I didnt make that big pitch." After going 32 days without gaining ground on Oakland, the Rangers are making up for lost time. Texas has gained 3 1/2 games in the division in four days. Rangers manager Ron Washington also matched Bobby Valentine for the most wins by a manager in franchise history. Washington, the longtime As third-base coach, is 581-501 in seven seasons. All the good vibes still come in the shadow of a looming investigation that could deliver a major setback. MLB is prepared to issue two simultaneous announcements no later than Monday, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press earlier this week. One would list players who accept suspensions; the other would name those disciplined without deals, but who could challenge penalties before an arbitrator. Most players face 50-game suspensions for their links to the now-closed Florida anti-aging clinic. Barring a rainout this weekend, the Rangers would have exactly 50 games remaining as they head into play Monday at the Los Angeles Angels. If Cruz files a grievance, as a first offender, the penalty would be delayed until after a decision by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. But the lengthy legal process likely would risk his eligibility for the playoffs and the start of next season. Cruz said he hasnt made any decision about a possible appeal. Cruz cracked the tying homer just over the 400-foot marker in straightaway centre in the second. As he trotted around the bases, the announced sellout crowd of 35,067 smothered him with boos — and each time he was announced at the plate. "Very impressive. Hes been swinging the bat like that all year," Washington said. "It seems like every time we need something, he comes through for us. Hes been able to separate, man." Jason Frasor (2-2) tossed 1 1-3 scoreless innings of relief for the win. And A.J. Pierzynski drove in three runs, including a two-run single off Dan Otero in the seventh that put the Rangers ahead 8-3. Alexi Ogando laboured through four innings but allowed just three runs and four hits while walking five. He threw 92 pitches, including 60 in the first two innings, doing just enough to keep the Rangers in control. Every As attempt to rally came up at least one hit short. Josh Donaldson grounded into a double play with two runners on in the third, and pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo lined out to centre with the bases loaded to end the fifth. "We just got a little stagnant. We got baserunners, but we didnt get the hits," As manager Bob Melvin said. Cruz handed the As a run when Coco Crisps fly ball bounced off the heel of his glove near the wall in right for an RBI double that sliced Texas lead to 6-3. Martin replaced Cruz, who has been playing with a bruised left quadriceps, in right field to start the bottom of the eighth. NOTES: Texas also won five in a row from June 19-23. ... Rangers SS Elvis Andrus extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the third inning. ... As opening day starter Brett Anderson, recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot, threw about 55 pitches against live hitters. The team will see how Anderson feels Saturday before deciding on his next step, which could be a rehab assignment. ... Jarrod Parker (6-6, 4.07) pitches for the As against Rangers righty Matt Garza (1-0, 1.88 ERA) on Saturday. Cheap Luis Gonzalez Jersey . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. Wholesale Diamondbacks Jerseys . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. http://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-curt-schilling-jersey . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. Cheap Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys China . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. LONDON -- Separate crashes that seriously injured two cyclists have snarled a 100-mile (161-kilometer) amateur bicycle race from London into the Surrey countryside.Air ambulances carried away two of Sundays participants in the RideLondon-Surrey 100, which is part of a three-day cycling festival organized annually following Londons hosting of the 2012 Olympics.Emergency services say one man crashed into a tree, while the other fell from his bicycle and suffered serious head injuries.Many raccers say they were delayed for close to an hour as organizers of the fund-raising event opened up a longer alternative route.ddddddddddddmong thousands taking part Sunday in other RideLondon races were reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome and retired middle-distance track star Kelly Holmes, who won two gold medals for Britain at the 2004 Athens Olympics. ' ' '