Spot Starter Leads Twins To 4-3 Win Over Rangers

The Twins took the first game of the series, behind a strong first-career start from Matt Fox. Twins' closer Matt Capps (above) celebrates after closing out the game. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Facing a tired Minnesota Twins (78-57) team, the Texas Rangers (75-59) failed to capitalize, blowing leads of 2-1 and 3-2 en route to an opening game loss. The Twins, coming off a 13 inning marathon game Thursday night in which they were forced to play Nick Blackburn (Friday's scheduled starter), had to rely on Matt Fox - who was making the first start of his big-league career.

Fox stepped up to the challenge, pitching 5 2-3 innings of two-run, four-hit baseball. The element of surprise was certainly in effect as Texas had next-to-nothing in terms of film on the 27-year old righty.

"When a guy does something like that, it's just location," said Rangers second-baseman Ian Kinsler. "We just weren't able to put anything together against him."

Kinsler, back in the starting lineup for the first time since July 27, went 1 for 4 on the night and scored the Rangers final run of the game. Texas took a 3-2 lead after Julio Borbon laid down the bunt that scored Kinsler, but Rangers' starter Derek Holland (who had pitched superbly up to that point) was unable to hold the lead. The Twins scored two runs in the bottom of the inning, taking a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish.

Holland gave up a walk and a single after getting the first out of the inning on a pop-up. Alexei Ogando came in for relief and immediately allowed a single to Twins' shortstop J.J. Hardy that tied the game, then Matt Harrison relieved Ogando and allowed the first batter he saw to single into right field giving Minnesota the lead.

The Rangers had a chance to tie the game in both the eighth and ninth innings, but sqaundered one-out with runners at the corners after Nelson Cruz struck out and Kinsler grounded into a fielder's choice. Then, in the ninth, Texas could have had runners on the corners and one out yet again, but pinch-runner Joey Cora was thrown out at third.

Texas had it's chances in this game as this was a game the Rangers should have had after a day off and with Minnesota's late night game Thursday. The Rangers failed to capitalize and this may come back to haunt them as things start to shake out as we near the end of the regular season.

These two teams go at it again, this time Saturday afternoon with a scheduled 3:10 p.m. start time. Colby Lewis (9-11, 3.56 ERA), who hasn't won a start since mid-July, will take the mound for Texas, while Carl Pavano (15-10, 3.52), who's lost his last three starts, gets the nod for Minnesota.

News and Notes:

• Texas has signed former Cubs' starting pitcher Mark Prior to a minor league contract. Prior hasn't started a game in the Majors since 2006, but won 18 games with the Cubs in 2003.

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