Rangers 6, Cardinals 4
Rangers 6, Cardinals 4: Nelson Cruz snapped a tie with a two-run single in the ninth inning as visiting Texas claimed the opener of the three-game interleague series.
Cruz capped a four-run second frame with an RBI single and Elvis Andrus drove in a pair of runs for the Rangers, who have won three in a row and four of five following a six-game losing streak.
Ian Kinsler led off the ninth with a single and advanced to third on an error by Trevor Rosenthal (1-1), who made an errant throw on Andrus' sacrifice before uncorking a wild pitch to put two runners in scoring position. Cruz followed with a single to center, plating both for a 6-4 lead.
The rally made a winner of Neal Cotts (4-1), who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Joe Nathan worked around a walk in the ninth for his 23rd save in 24 opportunities.
Allen Craig went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Carlos Beltran added a run-scoring double for the National League Central-leading Cardinals, who are 3-2 on their seven-game homestand.
GAME NOTEBOOK: St. Louis C Yadier Molina hit a two-out double in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Molina finished 1-for-4 and leads the NL with a .364 average. ... Texas is 4-5 against the NL this season, while the Cardinals are 3-2 vs. the American League. ... Rangers starter Derek Holland yielded four runs on four hits over seven innings. St. Louis rookie Tyler Lyons lasted just 1 2/3 frames, surrendering four runs and three hits with three walks.