The opening game of a three-game series between the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers seemed more like a boxing match than a baseball game.

When one team seemed to land the knockout blow, the other one countered.

But a two-out RBI single from Daric Barton in the 13th inning proved to be the final blow the A’s needed to escape with a 7-6 victory over the Rangers.

The win moves Oakland (18-15) into a tie with the Rangers for first place in the American League West.

The Rangers took an early 2-0 lead, but the A’s tied it in the fifth with a two-run home run from Eric Chavez. Oakland then took the lead in the seventh with an RBI triple from Eric Patterson.

The Rangers responded in the eighth when Josh Hamilton’s two-run home run gave Texas a 4-3 lead.

Oakland rallied for two runs in the ninth, taking a 5-4 lead with RBI singles from Landon Powell and Cliff Pennington.

The Rangers didn’t go away, as Elvis Andrus had a two-out RBI single in the bottom half to force extra innings.

Barton blasted a solo home run in the 11th to give Oakland a 6-5 lead. Texas again countered with an RBI single from Julio Borbon.

A’s reliever Tyson Ross (1-0) earned the win, while Rangers reliever Dustin Nippert (1-3) took the loss.