Rangers 4, Twins 3
C.J. Wilson tossed six effective innings and Vladimir Guerrero hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth as the Texas Rangers edged the Minnesota Twins, 4-3, on Wednesday.
Josh Hamilton homered for the second time in as many nights for the Rangers, who have won three straight and continue to hold a commanding 8 ½ game lead over Oakland in the American League West.
Wilson (13-5), a former closer, has been instrumental in helping build that lead. The left-hander put forth another solid outing, allowing three runs - two earned - and seven hits.
Wilson struck out six and walked two, improving to 6-0 in eight starts since the All-Star break.
He got a big lift from Guerrero, who drove in a run with a single in the third and then snapped a 3-3 tie with his 23rd homer of the season in the sixth – a solo shot to left field off Brian Duensing (7-2).
Four relievers held the Twins to two hits over the next two innings. With All-Star closer Neftali Feliz unavailable, Matt Harrison got the final two outs in the ninth for his second career save.
Joe Mauer, Danny Valencia and Denard Span each drove in a run for the Twins, who have dropped three straight for the first time since before the All-Star break.
Duensing entered 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in seven appearances – six starts – since the All-Star break. The left-hander was reached for four runs and six hits in six innings, suffering his first loss as a starter this season.