Texas Rangers 12, Tampa Bay Rays 4

by PegNews wire

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers won their fourth in a row Saturday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 12-4 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The win was a marked improvement over a terrible June in which the team scored just 99 runs, second worst in the American League, and improved Texas' record to 44-35.

Rangers rookie starter Derek Holland pitched well enough for a win, surrendering just four runs on seven hits over six innings. The recently-maligned pitcher improved to 2-5 on the year with a 6.18 ERA.

Several Rangers hitters had huge offensive days. Andruw Jones went 2-for-5 with four RBI, including a three-run home run in the bottom of the first that got the route going. Nelson Cruz went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI and a home run, his 20th of the season.

A resurgent David Murphy also collected three hits -- a single, a double and his first triple of the season -- and is now hitting a respectable .268 after a miserable start to the season. Michael Young chipped in with a 2-for-4 day with three RBI and two runs scored, while Rangers good luck charm Taylor Teagarden went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs driven in.

Posted by Todd M.