Ian Kinsler drive in four runs with a homer and a triple, and Mitch Moreland swatted a three-run shot as the Rangers blew past Minnesota 9-3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nelson Cruz doubled in his first two at-bats, and the Rangers collected 14 hits in support of Ryan Dempster. The right-hander issued two runs on eight hits in six innings to up his record since he was traded from the Cubs to 3-1.The Rangers scored twice in the first on Kinsler's 25th career leadoff homer and Cruz's first double. They tacked on three more in the second as Moreland launched a Brian Duensing pitch an estimated 463 feet. Kinsler's triple led to a four-run third that staked Dempster to a 9-0 lead.Minnesota broke through with a two-out solo homer by Justin Morneau in the fourth and tacked on a quick run in the fifth before Dempster struck out the Twins' Nos. 2-4 hitters. In the sixth, Craig Gentry threw out Morneau at home to end the inning.The victory allowed the Rangers to maintain a six-game lead in the American League West over Oakland, which beat Tampa Bay earlier Saturday. The Rangers matched the 1999 club mark for best record after 126 games at 75-51, and they are a season-best 24 games over .500.-- Jeff WilsonHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
