Back On Track - Rangers Beat Astros 7-2

C.J. Wilson (above, left) contributed seven strong innings and Ian Kinsler hit a three-run home run as Texas got back to it's winning ways. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

It was back to business as usual Saturday afternoon for the Texas Rangers (45-29) as they shrugged off an ugly loss the day before to the Houston Astros (29-46). Texas cranked out seven runs on 15 hits and took control in the fourth with a huge four-run inning.

Max Ramirez knocked in Justin Smoak with a double to tie the game at 2-all and one batter later Micheal Young singled, putting runners on the corners with Kinsler coming to the plate. Kinsler turned on a 2-1 pitch from Houston starter Josh Banks (L, 0-1), sending it deep in the left field corner for a three-run homer. Texas went up 5-2 and Kinsler was able to jog around the bases for only the second time all season as he broke a career-long 32-game homerless streak.

"Yeah, it was fun," said Kinsler, who finished the day 2 for 5 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored. "I was able to jog around the bases instead of run."

The offense wasn't the only facet of the game to rebound strong for the Rangers. Starter C.J. Wilson (W, 6-3) allowed only two earned runs, giving up five hits, walking four and striking out three batters. Although temperatures were in the mid-90's for the majority of the afternoon, Wilson was not fazed by the hot weather.

"It's not a big deal at all. It's completely overblown," said Wilson, who has allowed exactly two earned runs in each of his last four starts, lowering his ERA for the season to 3.35. "My sixth year here, the heat has zero effect on me at this point."

The bullpen was also back on it's game as Darren O'Day and Frank Francisco combined to pitch two hit-less innings to close out the game. Francisco struck out two batters, throwing 12 of his 14 pitches for strikes.

With the win, Texas gets the Silver Boot - which goes to the winner of the season-series between the Astros and Rangers - but, more importantly, got back to it's winning ways and have a chance to close out the series Sunday night.

"We got back to winning baseball," said manager Ron Washington.

The last game of the series is Sunday night and is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start time. Tommy Hunter (3-0, 2.31 ERA) takes the hill for Texas, while a possible future Rangers' player getting the start for Houston in Roy Oswalt (5-9, 3.08).

News and Notes:

• Josh Hamilton, who went 1 for 4 in the game, increased his career-high hitting streak to 20 games. 20 games is the longest streak in the Majors this season.
• Texas is now 4.5 games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels for first place in the American League West. The Rangers get a day off Monday before traveling to Anaheim to take on the Angels for a three-game set starting Tuesday night.

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