Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Josh Hamilton extended his career-high hit streak to 21 with a mammoth two-run homer, and the blistering-hot Rangers took a convincing 10-1 win over the Houston Astros to record their best 75- game start in franchise history.
Hamilton’s Hit-Streak Reaches 21 In Rangers’ 10-1 Win Over Astros
Hamilton drove in three runs and tied the franchise record for hits in a month with 47, as the Rangers won for the 13th time in 14 games to move to 46-29, eclipsing the 45-30 mark the team had in 1996. Texas has also won eight consecutive series, tying a franchise mark set in 1977.
Michael Young also homered, while Matt Treanor had two hits and two RBI for the Rangers, who won 14 of 18 interleague games this season. Tommy Hunter (4-0) was the beneficiary of the run support after allowing one run, five hits and two walks in six frames.
Michael Bourn went 1-for-4 with an RBI for the Astros, who have lost two straight following a three-game win streak. Roy Oswalt (5-10) was pounded for eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and four walks in just 4 2/3 frames to take the loss.
Texas put its foot on the gas pedal early and didn’t let up.
Vladimir Guerrero led off the second inning with a double to left, and Hamilton crushed a monster home run to right that was estimated to have traveled well over 450 feet for a 2-0 lead.
In the third, Young homered with one away and none on. Ian Kinsler followed with a double and later scored on an error for a 4-0 advantage.
Elvis Andrus' RBI single in the fourth increased the lead to five, although Houston got on the board in the fifth with a run-scoring single from Bourn.
Oswalt walked the bases loaded with two outs in the home fifth, and Treanor made it a six-run game with a two-run single, prompting Oswalt’s exit.
Chris Sampson didn't fare much better, allowing an RBI single to Julio Borbon for an 8-1 contest.
The Rangers tacked on two more runs off Sampson in the sixth. Kinsler and Guerrero led off with a double and single, respectively, and Kinsler scored on a Hamilton groundout. Nelson Cruz’s base hit put runners on the corners, and Guerrero scored on a wild pitch for a nine-run lead.
The Rangers lead the all-time series between the two Lone Star State teams, 33-27, including 5-1 this season...Oswalt had given up six runs in his last three starts combined...Texas moved to 28-12 at home...Hamilton has a 23-game interleague contest hit streak...The Astros finished 3-12 in interleague play this season.
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