ARLINGTON, Texas — The Athletics are back in first place in the AL West, one game ahead of the Texas Rangers, after a tense 2-1 victory Sunday at Globe Life Field. Rookie Carlos Cortes delivered a two-run triple in the first inning, and reliever Justin Sterner escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the sixth to preserve the lead.

Cortes’ 106.3 mph liner off the glove of Evan Carter on the warning track in center scored Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker, who had drawn consecutive two-out walks off Rangers starter Kumar Rocker. It was Cortes’ third hit of the day, part of a 10-hit Athletics attack.

The game turned in the sixth. The Rangers had cut the lead to 2-1 on a sacrifice bunt by Carter that scored Josh Jung, who had doubled. After a walk to Jake Burger, Sterner entered with runners on first and second and no outs. He gave up a bunt single to Josh Smith to load the bases, then struck out Danny Jansen and Sam Haggerty before Brandon Nimmo flied out to center. Sterner pumped his fist repeatedly as he walked off the mound.

Jack Perkins struck out one in a perfect ninth for his second save.

Athletics starter J.T. Ginn exited with right arm soreness after 3⅓ innings, leaving with a 2-0 lead. Jacob Lopez and Sterner bridged the gap. Perkins closed.

Rooker, back in the lineup as the designated hitter after missing 14 games with a right oblique strain, went 0 for 4.

Nick Kurtz drew an intentional walk in the ninth, extending his franchise-record streak of games with at least one walk to 16. It’s the longest such streak in the majors since Barry Bonds walked in 17 straight for San Francisco in 2007.

The Athletics (13-9) host Kansas City on Tuesday. Their starter has not been announced; the Royals will send Kris Bubic (2-1, 4.08 ERA).