KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Mitch Moreland gave Texas a two-run lead with a sixth-inning homer Wednesday and the Rangers held on to defeat Kansas City 4-3.

Texas equaled its largest lead of the season by moving 9 1/2 games in front of second-place Oakland in the American League West. The Athletics were the victims of a series sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees.

Tommy Hunter (12-2) won his third straight start, giving up two runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Hunter began his season on the disabled list and then won his first eight decisions of the year.

Nelson Cruz put Texas in front for good with a two-run single in the first and the Rangers were clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth when Moreland led off the inning with a homer to left-center.

Yuniesky Betancourt brought the Royals within a run in the seventh with an RBI double, but Neftali Feliz worked a perfect ninth for his 34th save.

Bryan Bullington (1-4) gave up the homer by Moreland and was touched for all four runs on eight hits.