Rangers 6, Twins 5
MINNEAPOLIS -- A sacrifice fly by shortstop Elvis Andrus in the top of the eighth inning scored the winning run as the Texas Rangers defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on Wednesday afternoon at Target Field.
The victory salvaged the final game of the three-game series for the Rangers, who moved back to within a half game of the Twins in the American League wild-card standings.
Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland chipped in with a career-high four hits, including a two-run homer, and knocked in four runs. Third baseman Adrian Beltre had three hits and scored three times.
Rangers right-hander Keone Kela got the win, pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Closer Shawn Tolleson worked a spotless ninth for his 21st save of the season.
The Twins jumped ahead in the second inning when they strung together five consecutive hits to open a 4-0 lead.
First baseman Trevor Plouffe opened the barrage with a home run to left field, his 16th homer of the year. Left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar each singled, and Rosario scored on a botched rundown of Escobar between first and second.
Catcher Chris Herrmann followed with an RBI double into the left-center field gap and then scored on a double by left fielder Shane Robinson.
Back-to-back walks later in the inning put two runners on for third baseman Miguel Sano, but he flied out to right field to end the threat.
Texas fought back in the middle innings, scoring twice in the fourth and three times in the fifth to take the lead.
Beltre opened the fourth with a sharp single to left and Moreland followed with a two-run blast over the right-field fence, his 17th homer of the season.
After an RBI single by designated hitter Prince Fielder with two outs in the fifth, Moreland struck again, bashing a double into the right-center field gap, scoring two and giving Texas a 5-4 lead.
Minnesota evened the score on an RBI single by center fielder Aaron Hicks in the bottom of the sixth. Robinson was thrown out at home trying to score from first to end the inning.
Twins right-hander Ervin Santana allowed five runs, eight hits and two walks in six-plus innings, striking out one. He has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four starts.
Chi Chi Gonzalez, starting in place of Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, who missed the game with a sore groin, walked five and allowed five runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
NOTES: Rangers RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock in time to make the start. ... Rangers RHP Nick Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. Martinez is 7-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 21 starts this season with Texas. He took the loss on Wednesday, allowing seven runs (four earned) on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings. ... Twins RHP Phil Hughes was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore lower back. Hughes is 10-8 with a 4.49 ERA in 23 outings this season. ... RHP Trevor May is expected to replace Hughes in the rotation. May is 8-7 with a 4.09 ERA, but he has made his last 13 appearances out of the bullpen. ... Texas will return home Friday to open a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. ... Minnesota continues its six-game homestand on Friday, opening a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians.