Rangers 4, Royals 3
Mitch Moreland went deep for the second straight night, Nelson Cruz had a two-run single and the Texas Rangers held on for a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
Cruz gave the Rangers an early 2-0 lead with a two-run single in the first. Andres Blanco added a RBI double in the fourth, and then Moreland came through with a solo shot in the sixth.
The Royals were in it all night. Mike Aviles had a sacrifice fly in the third to keep them within one. And, in the fourth, Yuniesky Betancourt belted a solo home run to make it a one-run game. Betancourt had a RBI double in the seventh to make it, once again, a one-run game.
Wilson Betemit and Billy Butler had two well-hit balls in the ninth for the Royals, but Cruz tracked them both down in right field.
Texas starter Tommy Hunter (12-2) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Rangers closer Neftali Feliz threw a scoreless ninth to record his 34th save.
Kansas City starter Bryan Bullington (1-4) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts.