ARLINGTON, Texas -- It doesnt matter to John Jaso whether hes Oaklands leadoff batter, as long as hes playing. For the Athletics, hes extremely important at the top of the order, especially with Coco Crisp hurting. Jaso drove in three runs Sunday night, helping Scott Kazmir and Oakland beat the Texas Rangers 9-3. The As catcher had a run-scoring single during a five-run second inning and added a two-run double in the fifth. "I like (leadoff) because Im in the lineup," Jaso said. "I dont care where." Manager Bob Melvin said Crisp, who has led off in 69 of the Athletics 105 games, was going back to Oakland to be examined by the doctors who have been treating a recurring neck injury. "When Cocos out, we certainly need a guy against right-handers," Melvin said. "(Jaso) takes a lot of pitches, and he can be aggressive." Jaso was leading off for the 15th time this season and has had at least one hit each game while batting .380 (19 for 50) in that role. He entered the game with an overall .360 on-base percentage. The Athletics first three batters -- Jaso, Stephen Vogt and Yoenis Cespedes -- each had a double and a single, and Josh Reddick added three singles. Kazmir (12-3) moved into a tie for the American League lead in wins while allowing seven hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out two. "It was maybe not his best command at times," Melvin said. "But seeing him be so good this season, that five-inning outing doesnt look so good." Kazmir would not use the 100-degree temperature at game time as an excuse. "Its tough to have nice weather in Oakland and come here to pitch. It kind of drains you in the beginning. I felt great. I was just inconsistent." Kazmir got out of the third and fifth innings by striking out Texas J.P. Arencibia for the final out each time with a total of five runners on base. "It was pretty much the same sequence," Kazmir said. "Off-speed the first two pitches, and tried to finish him off hard. That was big those two innings." Rangers manager Ron Washington said: "Thats J.P. I dont think he can change. We gotta live with it." The victory enabled Oakland to remain two games ahead of the second-place Los Angeles Angels in the AL West. The Athletics are 7-5 against the Rangers this season. Adam Rosales had a two-run homer in the second for the Rangers, and Adrian Beltre added a solo shot off reliever Evan Scribner in the eighth. Beltre was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Miles Mikolas (1-3) allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and four walks in 4 2-3 innings. He was coming off his first win as a major league starter, over the Yankees July 21. "I executed well and made the transition well in the New York game, and kind of fell back into (bad habits)," Mikolas said. "Its hard to break those bad habits, so well do more work on it." Jaso also has an 11-game hitting streak against the Rangers. "I dont know what it is. Ive hit some home runs here. The warm weather is nice, and they have a lot of righties." Jasos single was against Mikolas. Washington brought in left-hander Ryan Feierabend in to face Jaso in the fifth, and he ripped his two-run double with two out. NOTES: Oakland activated INF Alberto Callaspo (strained right hamstring) from the disabled list and optioned 1B Nate Freiman to Triple-A Sacramento. . Rangers LHP Derek Holland is scheduled to pitch two innings in his first game this season Wednesday on an injury-rehab assignment for Double-A Frisco. Holland, on the 60-day disabled list following off-season surgery on his left knee, threw in the bullpen and took fielding practice before Sundays game. ... Texas rookie RHP Roman Mendez pitched a perfect eighth inning. He has not allowed a run in 11 innings during his first eight major league games. ... RHP Nick Tepesch, who left Saturdays start in the seventh inning because of a sore left knee, said he plans to make his next scheduled start Friday in Cleveland. Wholesale Air Force 1 Canada . The Nevada Athletic Commission voted unanimously in Las Vegas to quit granting therapeutic use exemptions for fighters undergoing the so-called TRT. Nike Air Force 1 Canada Online . Meeks has agreed to a $19.5 million, three-year deal with Detroit, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday night. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because free agents cant sign contracts until the leagues moratorium ends July 10, also said Cartier Martin had agreed to a one-year contract with the rebuilding franchise. http://www.wholesalenikeairforce1canada.com/ .ca. Hi Kerry, Love reading your column and loved watching your analysis on the TSN broadcasts!And were now in Round 2! Bruins! Canadiens! We know all about the great games of the past from the players, the broadcasters and the writers. Air Force 1 Canada Mens . Hemsky left the Oilers Tuesday night loss to the Dallas Stars in the second period and did not return. Through 48 games this season, Hemsky has seven goals and a total of 24 points. Authentic Nike Air Force 1 Wholesale . The young man, never lacking confidence, thought he could be really good. NEW YORK -- San Diegos Andrew Cashner won and Clevelands Vinnie Pestano lost as pitchers split decisions Saturday in baseballs first salary arbitration cases in two years. Cashner will make $2.4 million rather than the clubs offer of $2,275,000 -- the smallest gap this year among cases that didnt settle. Pestano, among four Indians left in arbitration, will make $975,000 instead of his request for $1.45 million. Cleveland outfielder Michael Brantley and right-handers Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin are among the 13 players left in arbitration from among the 146 who filed last month, and hearings are scheduled through Feb. 20. Right-hander Jeff Samardzija and the Chicago agreed Saturday to a one-year deal worth $5,345,000. He had asked for $6.2 million and had been offered $2,765,000 by the Cubs after going 8-13 with a 4.34 ERA last year, when he made $2,765,000. Cashner, a 27-year-old right-hander was 10-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 26 starts and five relief appearances last season, when he made $500,800. Arbitrators Gil Vernon, Elizabeth Neumeister and Robert Herzog made the decision a day after hearing arguments in St. Petersburg, Fla. Peestano, a right-hander who turns 29 on Feb.dddddddddddd. 20, was 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA in 37 relief appearances last year and made $501,900. His case was decided by arbitrators Matt Irvings, Matt Goldberg and Steven Wolf. Cleveland had not been to a hearing since 1991, when pitcher Greg Swindell beat the Indians and infielder Jerry Browne lost. Baseball is having its first salary arbitration hearings in two years. Last year was the first time all cases settled without any hearings. No player had gone to a hearing since Feb. 15, 2012, when Pittsburgh outfielder Garrett Jones argued his case against the Pirates in a case won by the club the following day. Teams have a 292-215 advantage in decisions since arbitration began in 1974. Others with pending cases include Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel, Boston left-hander Andrew Miller, Cincinnati right-hander Homer Bailey, Kansas City right-hander Greg Holland, Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen, Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick, San Francisco first baseman Brandon Belt, Seattle first baseman Justin Smoak, Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland and Washington right-hander Tyler Clippard. ' ' '