Rangers 6, Twins 2
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A two-base error by Minnesota center fielder Aaron Hicks allowed two Texas runs to score in the eighth inning and helped the Rangers to a 6-2 win over the Twins on Friday night.
Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland lined the first pitch he saw from Brian Duensing to center field and off Hicks' glove, snapping a 2-2 tie with two outs. Duensing intentionally walked Texas designated hitter Prince Fielder to get to Moreland with the bases loaded.
Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus, who hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, added some insurance with a two-run single off Duensing.
Rangers right-hander Tanner Scheppers, who allowed a solo homer to Twins second baseman Brian Dozier in the eighth with the Rangers trying to protect a 2-1 lead, got the win.
The wild final three innings changed the complexion of an early pitchers' duel. The only run in the first six innings came on a sacrifice fly from Minnesota third baseman Trevor Plouffe in the top of the first.
Minnesota left-hander Tommy Millone had a one-hitter through six innings before giving up the Andrus homer in the seventh. He struck out a season-high eight.
Texas starter Wandy Rodriguez allowed just the Plouffe sacrifice fly and retired 18 straight at one point.
Andrus finished with two hits and four RBIs. He was the only player in the game with multiple hits on a night when the teams combined for 10 hits.
The Twins got on the board in the first after the first three batters reached against Rodriguez. Plouffe brought home Dozier with a sacrifice fly to left, putting the Twins up 1-0.
Milone baffled the Texas hitters early as the Rangers didn't get a hit until the third, when center fielder Leonys Martin singled. Milone had six strikeouts in the first five innings.
Rodriguez also settled down, retiring 15 consecutive batters after a single by Minnesota first baseman Joe Mauer in the first.
NOTES: Texas LHP Matt Harrison (spinal fusion surgery) is slated to make his third rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Round Rock. Harrison is scheduled to throw 100 pitches. ... Rangers RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez is just the second pitcher since 1981 to throw at least 20 innings and have an ERA of 0.42 or better after his first three starts. The other was Philadelphia's Pat Combs (0.41) in 1989. ... Minnesota OF Torii Hunter was in the starting lineup. Hunter was suspended for two games for his actions after his Wednesday ejection but opted to appeal. ... The Twins recalled RHP Michael Tonkin from Triple-R Rochester and reinstated OF Eddie Rosario from the paternity list. Rosario's wife gave birth to a son on Thursday.