Rangers 4, Twins 0
The Texas Rangers came within two outs of a combined no-hitter in a 4-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.
Reigning American League MVP Joe Mauer ripped a one-out single in the ninth off closer Neftali Feliz to end the no-hit bid.
Rangers starter Rich Harden didn’t allow a hit through 6 2/3 innings in his first start since being sidelined with right shoulder tendinitis.
Harden was pulled before he could finish the seventh inning after walking five batters and throwing 111 pitches. He was taken out after issuing a two-out walk to Michael Cuddyer. Harden went to a full count on nine of the 23 batters he faced.
Texas relievers Matt Harrison and Darren O’Day handed off a combined no-hit gem to Feliz, who couldn’t slip an 0-2 fastball by Mauer.
Regardless, it was an important win for Harden (5-4) and the Rangers, who were coming off a 2-5 road trip.
The Rangers took an early 2-0 lead in the first on David Murphy’s two-run triple to center. They cushioned their lead with Michael Young’s RBI groundout in the fifth and Josh Hamilton’s sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn (7-8), making his first start since July 18, went seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with no walks and five strikeouts.