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Hamilton, Cruz homer in return; Rangers' Ogando blanks ChiSox

May 24, 2011 - 6:08 AM Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz both homered in their first game off the disabled list, and Alexi Ogando tossed his first career shutout to lift Texas over Chicago, 4-0, in the first of a three-game series.

Hamilton hadn't played since April 12, when he suffered a broken bone in his right upper arm during a game against Detroit, and Cruz has been sidelined since May 3 when he suffered a strained right quadriceps muscle in a game at Seattle.

Ogando (5-0) scattered five hits and three walks in the first complete game of his career. He also fanned six in the Rangers' second straight win following a three-game losing streak.

John Danks (0-7) also went the distance, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three, as Chicago had its brief two-game win streak snapped.

"It's getting harder and harder. That's just the blunt truth. It doesn't do me any good to sit and dwell on it and feel sorry for myself. I have to come in ready to work," Danks said about still being winless.

Hamilton smacked his first home run of the season in the first inning on the second pitch he faced, to give Texas a 1-0 lead. Adrian Beltre walked in the sixth ahead of a two-run homer from Cruz to increase the Rangers' lead to 3-0.

The Rangers added to their lead in the eighth after Hamilton led off with a double and Michael Young followed with an infield single to put men on the corners. Beltre then hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Hamilton.

Chicago only had one runner reach scoring position and that was in the fifth inning. A.J. Pierzynski reached third on an Ian Kinsler throwing error after a Gordon Beckham single with two outs, but Juan Pierre grounded a ball back to the mound to end the inning.

From there, Ogando only issued a pair of walks and completed his gem by retiring the side in order in the ninth.

"Ogando did an excellent job out there tonight controlling the bat-heads of those guys, because they can swing the bat," Rangers' manager Ron Washington said. "He kept the ball in play and the defense played behind him."

Game Notes

Monday's game was the first time Hamilton and Cruz have been in the lineup together since April 12 at Detroit...Chicago's Alexei Ramirez was named American League Player of the Week. Ramirez hit .417 with six doubles, one home run, nine RBI and six runs scored in seven games...Ogando threw 76 of his 115 pitches for strikes while Danks threw 71 of his 105 pitches for strikes.