Monday, August 31, 2009 , Updated
Minnesota Twins 5, Texas Rangers 3
The Texas Rangers didn't do themselves any favors Sunday, losing 5-3 to the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis. The loss meant a crushing road series loss, and dropped Texas to 72-57.
Photo not provided by the Minnesota Twins
Form of ... playoff spoiler!
The loss, coupled with wins by the Boston Red Sox and LA Angels, meant that the Rangers were now 3 1/2 games behind Boston in the wild card race, and five full games behind the Angels for first place in the AL West.
Rangers starter Kevin Millwood pitched well enough to beat Minnesota for the first time in his career, but despite surrendering just two runs on six hits over six innings, it was not to be. Rangers reliever C.J. Wilson blew it in the eighth, giving up three runs on three hits, some Ranger miscues, and back-to-back fielder's choices leading to RBIs.
Texas got almost all of their offense from the bottom of the lineup, with Nelson Cruz going 2-for-4 with a crucial two-run home run in the top of the seventh. Ivan Rodriguez went 1-for-3 with a run scored, while Elvis Andrus went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Michael Young went 1-for-5, and extended his hitting streak to 17 games.
Posted by Todd M.
