Guerrero Power! Texas Wins 8-7

Behind two home runs and five RBI from Vladimir Guerrero (above) the Rangers were able to hold on after nearly blowing what was a 6-2 lead in the fifth inning. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Even though their pitching staff have struggled in recent weeks, the Texas Rangers (26-20) have been able to rely on a potent offense to stay in the driver's seat in the American League West.

This was the case again Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals (18-28), as starter Rich Harden went only 5 1-3 innings - allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits. However, the Rangers managed to pound out 11 hits and score eight runs - luckily one better than the Royals.

"The pitches they hit were right over the plate," Royal's starter Gil Meche said. "There wasn't one pitch they hit that they shouldn't have hit over the fence where they hit them in those locations. It was a badly pitched game."

Well I guess that's one point of view.

Another could be the fact that this Rangers' offense ranks in the top-5 in the A.L. in both batting average (.270) and runs scored (225), so maybe the offense (especially Guerrero) deserves a little credit from K.C. here? No? Well here's Josh Hamilton.

"It's unbelievable to watch," Hamilton said of Guerrero's performance. "Everybody is kind of in awe. He hit two home runs and they throw the ball inside and he hits it a rifle bullet down the line and keeps it fair."

Speaking of Hamilton, the 3-6 hitters in the Rangers' lineup demolished the Royals for the game. Ian Kinsler, Hamilton, Guerrero and Nelson Cruz combined for over half of the Rangers' hits (6), hit four home runs, and drove in all eight Texas runs.

Texas and K.C. go at it in the finale of the two-game series Wednesday afternoon with a 1:10 p.m. start time. Scott Feldman (2-4, 5.90 ERA) starts for the Rangers while Luke Hochevar (4-2, 5.37) gets the nod for the Royals.

News and Notes:

• It's early in the season but Vladimir Guerrero ranks in the top-5 in batting average (second at .347), home runs (fourth, 14), and RBI (first, 42). Triple-Crown anyone?
• Neftali Feliz registered his 13th save of the season,which is tied for first in the A.L. with Rafael Soriano of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Texas leads the A.L. in saves with 16 on the year.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)