OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Texas Rangers continued their frustrating trip, losing 7-1 to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon and losing three of four against a team that began the week in last place in the division. The Rangers have now lost five of seven games on this West Coast trip and seven of nine overall.

Darvish’s day: Yu Darvish had the worst start in his brief major league career. He gave up six runs, a career-high, on six hits and was knocked out after 5 1/3 innings.

Out of control: Walks have been one of Darvish’s issues throughout the season, and they hurt him badly Thursday. He walked six, equaling his worst total of the season, and he also hit a batter. In the decisive fourth inning, when the A’s turned a 2-1 lead into 6-1, all four men who scored reached base via walk or hit batsman. Coco Crisp's bases-loaded triple was the crushing blow.

Scheppers debuts: Promoted earlier in the day to take the roster spot of the injured Derek Holland, Tanner Scheppers made his big league debut in relief of Darvish in the sixth. He struck out the first batter he faced, Josh Reddick, and then he got Collin Cowgill on a flyout. Scheppers also pitched the seventh, when he allowed a solo homer to Brandon Moss.

PODCAST
Manager Ron Washington joins Bryan Dolgin following the Rangers' 7-1 loss in Oakland on Thursday. Listen

Bats still quiet: The Rangers were held to two runs or less for the fifth time in seven games on this trip. A’s pitchers set down 22 consecutive Texas batters, including the final 14 on Wednesday night.

The middle produces: Two of the coldest hitters on this trip collaborated on the Rangers’ first run. Josh Hamilton, who had been 3-for-26 on the trip, doubled in the fourth and scored on a single from Adrian Beltre, who had been 4-for-27.

Moreland wakes up: Mitch Moreland, who had been in a 1-for-24 slump, had two hits.

Old friend: It couldn’t have eased the Rangers' frustration to get shut down by a former Texas pitcher. Brandon McCarthy, who never figured out how to stay healthy or be consistent with the Rangers, gave up one run in seven innings. McCarthy lowered his ERA to 2.79.

Up next: Texas doesn’t even have to switch hotels. The Rangers, who have been staying in San Francisco all week, go from playing the A’s in Oakland to the Giants in San Francisco. On Friday, Matt Harrison faces Barry Zito in the opener at 9:15 p.m. on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and FSSW.