Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Michael Young's infield single scored Andres Blanco with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, lifting Texas over Minnesota, 4-3, in a battle of division leaders.
Carl Pavano And The Twins Look For A Measure Of Payback Against Rangers
Josh Hamilton belted his 29th homer of the year for the AL West-leading Rangers, who won their third in a row.
One night after a near combined-no hitter, the Rangers used four pitchers to edge the AL Central-leading Twins. Colby Lewis allowed seven hits and three runs over 6 1/3 frames. Darren Oliver (1-1) threw 1 1/3 innings and escaped a jam in the top of the seventh to get the victory. Darren O'Day recorded the final out in the eighth inning and Neftali Feliz pitched the ninth for his 32nd save.
Michael Cuddyer stroked a two-run double in the first inning for Minnesota, which has lost back-to-back games for the first time since August 2-3 at Tampa Bay. The Twins are now 3 1/2 games ahead of the White Sox, who beat Baltimore on Tuesday.
Carl Pavano (15-9) threw his sixth complete game of the season and 13th of his career after allowing eight hits and fanning five batters.
There was a bit of trepidation in the ninth inning. Delmon Young flied out to deep right field leading off. Danny Valencia then hit a ball to right-center field, which was tracked down by a leaping Julio Borbon near the fence. Pinch- hitter Jim Thome was hit by a pitch, but Matt Tolbert fanned in another pinch- hitting role to end the game.
Andres Blanco hit a one-out, ground-rule double to left field, then moved to third on Borbon's groundout. Elvis Andrus walked before Young singled to left field to give the Rangers the lead for good.
Borbon scored on Young's double-play grounder in the third and the Rangers went ahead in the fourth. Hamilton led off with a homer to center field. Bengie Molina doubled with two outs and Mitch Moreland followed with an infield hit. Blanco's ground-rule double to right-center made it 3-2.
The Twins put two runners on with nobody out in the sixth, but came up empty. However, they tied the game in the seventh. Young and Valencia singled in front of Alexi Casilla’s double to right field.
After Drew Butera lined out to third base, Oliver came in to shut the door in the inning. Denard Span grounded into a fielder's choice with Valencia out at the plate. Orlando Hudson then hit into another force play.
Before the game, the Rangers purchased the contract of infielder Alex Cora from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated infielder Joaquin Arias for assignment...Andrus has a 14-game hitting streak, the longest active in the majors...The Twins fell to 17-8 vs. the AL West.
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