Rangers 11, Twins 7
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland and third baseman Joey Gallo hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning to spark the Rangers to a 11-7 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.
The win moved the Rangers four games above .500 for the third time this season and 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the American League West. They have yet to reach five games above .500.
The homers were part of a six-run inning for the Rangers that began with the score tied at 3.
Moreland's three-run homer to right field against Mike Pelfrey was followed by a shot from Gallo into the upper deck in right center that was estimated at 461 feet. That's the fourth-longest in Globe Life Park history.
Moreland finished with four RBIs for Texas, which had 11 hits against Pelfrey in 3 2/3 innings. Pelfrey hadn't allowed more than one earned run in any of his last four starts but was tagged for eight earned runs and a season-high 11 hits.
The big inning made a winner of Texas right-hander Colby Lewis, who allowed three runs in the third inning as Minnesota took a 3-1 lead.
But the Rangers tied the score in the bottom of the third and Lewis settled in. He retired the final 15 batters he faced in his seven innings. Lewis didn't return for the eight after a one-hour, 19-minute rain delay.
The Lewis outing marked the ninth consecutive quality start for the Rangers, which is one shy of the club record.
Texas finished with 15 hits, including seven for extra bases, and every starter had a hit by the sixth inning.
The Twins took a 3-1 lead in the third on a two-run double from left fielder Eddie Rosario and a run-scoring double from designated hitter Joe Mauer. Minnesota also scored four times with two outs in the ninth.
NOTES: Minnesota RF Torii Hunter dropped the appeal of his two-game suspension and began serving it on Saturday. Hunter will be eligible to play in Monday's game against St. Louis. Hunter was suspended for his actions after his ejection in Wednesday's game. ... Texas LHP Martin Perez has been pulled from his rehab assignment because of tightness in his left groin. Perez said he started feeling some discomfort in a Wednesday rehab start and is scheduled to be inactive for about a week. ... When Texas SS Elvis Andrus hits a home run, good things normally happen for the Rangers. Andrus has 23 career home runs and the Rangers are 19-4 in those games. ... Minnesota CF Aaron Hicks was scratched from the lineup after experiencing some pain in his right elbow while hitting in the batting cages Saturday. Shane Robinson replaced Hicks in the lineup. ... Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier is on pace for 89 extra-base hits, which would be the most in club history. Tony Oliva is the club's record-holder with 84 in 1964.