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Moreland's homer lifts Rangers over Jays

Apr 28, 2011 - 4:48 AM Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Mitch Moreland blasted a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning, and the Texas Rangers held on for a 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Moreland's homer came after Juan Rivera hit a game-tying blast in the top half.

Mike Napoli and Michael Young both had a two-run double during the Rangers' six-run third inning, while rookie Cody Eppley (1-0) gave up one run in two relief innings to record his first major league win.

Darren Oliver pitched the ninth to get his second save for Texas, which had dropped the first two in this four-game series.

Rivera finished with three hits, two RBI and a walk for Toronto, which grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning after loading the bases with one out. Adam Lind hit a sacrifice fly and Rivera followed with a run-scoring single.

But the Rangers took control in the bottom half with a six-run outburst.

An error by third baseman Edwin Encarnacion allowed Yorvit Torrealba to reach base with one away, and after Moreland struck out, Toronto starter Jo-Jo Reyes threw a wild pitch and walked Ian Kinsler.

Elvis Andrus followed with a single to plate Torrealba, and Young doubled to left to put the Rangers in front. Reyes hit Adrian Beltre with a pitch before Nelson Cruz smacked an RBI single to right. Napoli's two-RBI double made it a 6-2 game and chased Reyes.

In 2 2/3 frames, Reyes allowed the six unearned runs and five hits, and walked one while striking out one.

But Texas' sizeable lead didn't last, as starter Derek Holland gave up three more runs in the fourth. With runners on the corners and two away, Mike McCoy singled. Jose Bautista then hit a two-run double.

In five frames, Holland gave up the five runs and 11 hits, and walked three while fanning two.

It was a 6-5 game until the seventh, when Rivera homered off Eppley, who was in his second inning at that point. However, Moreland led off the home half by crushing a ball over the center field wall against Octavio Dotel (1-1).

Arthur Rhodes pitched a scoreless eighth for Texas.

Game Notes

Toronto had 14 hits but left nine on base...Cruz finished 2-for-4, and was the only Rangers player with multiple hits. Kinsler finished with two walks and a stolen base...Young has 12 doubles.