Kinsler gets Texas back on track
By Associated Press on Sep 18, 2013, at 2:28 AM Updated on 9/18/13 at 5:23 AM
Texas' Ian Kinsler lines a third-inning single off Tampa Bay pitcher Jeremy Hellickson during Tuesday's game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Kinsler homered and had three RBIs in Texas' win. CHRIS O'MEARA / Associated Press
Pro Baseball (MLB)
The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff greeted players in the Washington Nationals clubhouse before the game, handing out blue and gold Navy caps.
A complete listing of games on television and radio.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - It took only one pitch Tuesday night for the Texas Rangers to take the lead in a game for the first time in more than a week.
Ian Kinsler drove Jeremy Hellickson's first fastball for a home run, and the Rangers went on to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-1, breaking a seven-game losing streak.
"Obviously we've been fighting from behind a lot in this last week or so," Kinsler said. "So to be able to get a first hit out of the way, and a first run out of the way, gave (Alexi) Ogando a little bit of breathing room."
Elvis Andrus said he felt it from the on-deck circle.
"I think the homer by Ian made the whole team just relax," he said. "We haven't scored first in a little while."
Kinsler and Andrus homered and drove in three runs each to help the Rangers pull even with the Rays at the top of the AL wild-card race.
The Rangers, who held the No. 1 wild-card spot or the AL West lead for most of the summer, won for only the fourth time in 17 games.
"Given the circumstances, it's a big win," Kinsler said.
"You've got to have a sense of relief when you lose seven in a row and you know you're a better team than that," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.
Kinsler's 12th home run broke a streak of seven homerless games for the Rangers, their longest in 23 years. The 1-0 lead marked the first time Texas has led in a game since its last victory, on Sept. 8.
Kinsler added a two-run single in the Rangers' four-run third, driving in three runs on the first two pitches he saw from Helickson (11-9). Andrus followed with his third home run of the season to put the Rangers up 5-0.
Pro Baseball (MLB)
The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff greeted players in the Washington Nationals clubhouse before the game, handing out blue and gold Navy caps.
A complete listing of games on television and radio.
