Young's Big Night Leads Rangers Over Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Michael Young had three hits and three RBIs, Adrian Beltre added two hits and drove in two, and the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins 9-3 on Friday night.
The Rangers sent 11 batters to the plate and scored a season-high seven runs in the second inning to snap an eight-game road losing streak against the Twins and win for the first time at Target Field.
Young, who is two away from setting the Rangers franchise record for games played, was 4 for 39 in June before Friday.
C.J. Wilson (7-3) allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings to notch his fifth straight quality start.
Brian Duensing (3-6) lasted two innings and allowed seven runs (three earned) and seven hits as the Twins lost for the second time in their last nine games. Duensing has lost six of his last seven decisions.
It started raining in the second inning, right before Texas got rolling and Minnesota reverted to the sloppy play that has characterized most of its season.
Beltre lead off with a walk and scored when Jason Repko slipped and bobbled Mike Napoli's single to center. Yorvit Torrealba delivered an RBI single and scored when shortstop Alexi Casilla misplayed Andres Blanco's bouncer.
Blanco scored on Craig Gentry's single, barely avoiding Drew Butera's tag at the plate. The close play drew Twins manager Ron Gardenhire out of the dugout to kick some dirt around home plate and argue briefly with umpire Dana DeMuth.
Young capped the second inning with a two-run single after Gardenhire stomped back to the dugout.
The rain let up to a light drizzle after the second and Wilson took advantage of some rare run support. The Rangers averaged fewer than two runs in Wilson's previous four starts before Friday.
The cushion allowed Wilson to attack the Twins' injury-ravaged lineup.
Already missing Joe Mauer, Jim Thome, Jason Kubel and Denard Span, the Twins were without first baseman Justin Morneau on Friday. The former MVP sat out with a sore wrist and a pinched nerve in his neck that also affects his shoulder.
Butera had a career-high three hits and an RBI and Michael Cuddyer had two hits and an RBI.
The first-place Rangers are in the middle of a stretch of playing 17 of 20 games on the road. Before finally beating the Twins at Target Field, the Rangers were outscored 43-23 in their first seven games at the new stadium.
Gentry, Napoli and Torrealba all had two hits.
Notes: Nelson Cruz was the only Ranger to not reach base. ... Injured Rangers RHP Brandon Webb is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. ... Scott Feldman will throw about 70 pitches for Double-A Frisco on Saturday as he works to return to the Rangers after right knee surgery. ... Mauer homered in his first at-bat for Class A Fort Myers on Friday. The Twins will determine Mauer's next step after he catches again Sunday.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
