Johnson hit solo shots in the fourth and sixth innings for his third career multihomer game and second this season, then singled in two runs in Oakland's three-run seventh.

Mark Ellis doubled in a run and Jack Cust added an RBI single for the A's, who have won the first three games in this four-game set between the bottom two teams in the AL West.

Blanton (14-9) didn't allow a hit until Jason Botts lined a single to right to start the fifth, the first of three straight base hits in the inning. David Murphy had an RBI single and the Rangers scored another run when Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounded into a double play that made it 3-2.

Murphy doubled in the eighth and was the lone Texas player with multiple hits off Blanton, whose single to Saltalamacchia one batter later in the eighth ended his day. Blanton received a warm standing ovation when he walked off the mound.

Swisher connected for his 22nd home run of the year with two outs in the third and he now has five homers and nine RBIs over his last seven games.

The A's, the defending division champions who reached the AL championship series last season, would be eliminated from playoff contention with one more loss or an Angels win. First-place Los Angeles had a night game in Chicago against the White Sox.

Texas' Michael Young went 0-for-4 to have his career-best 14-game hitting streak snapped, and it was a far different game a day after the teams combined for 20 runs in Oakland's 11-9 win.

Both benches were warned after Rangers reliever Bill White plunked Swisher with two outs in the seventh. White was booed when he gave way to Luis Mendoza later in the inning.

Blanton extended his winning streak over Texas to six games and he is 6-2 in 10 career starts and 11 appearances against the Rangers, who have not beaten him since July 16, 2005.

Saturday marked the A's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and it was fitting Blanton was on the mound. His mother, Carolyn, and aunt, Dottie, are both breast cancer survivors and simultaneously threw out the first pitch during pre-game ceremonies.

Blanton had four of his six strikeouts in the first three innings, throwing only 43 pitches and allowing his only walk. He gave up five hits and three runs. Dallas Braden struck out pinch-hitter Sammy Sosa but then walked Guillermo Quinoz to load the bases before Alan Embree relieved. Ian Kinsler followed with a sacrifice fly before Young's third groundout of the game.

Embree got the final five outs for his 17th save.

Rangers starter Brandon McCarthy (5-10) lost his third straight decision and went only three innings. He was on a pitch count of about 50 coming in, and was done after 52.