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Rangers slug their way past Devil Rays

Apr 11, 2007 - 5:42 AM ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Frank Catalanotto, Kenny Lofton and Ian Kinsler provided the Texas Rangers with just enough offense to overcome the Tampa Bay Devils Rays.

Catalanotto, Lofton and Kinsler each hit home runs to lead the Rangers to a 12-9 victory over the Devil Rays.

Lofton hit a solo homer in the first and Kinsler added a two-run shot in the second - his third of the season - to put the Rangers ahead, 3-0. However, Tampa Bay scored five times in the top of the third, keyed by Ty Wigginton's two-run home run.

Texas took the lead for good in the bottom of the frame, scoring seven times. Brad Wilkerson ignited the rally with a two-run single to forge a 5-5 tie. Gerald Laird reached base one batter later when Delmon Young misplayed a fly ball to right field.

With the bases loaded, Kinsler struck out for the second out of the inning. However, the Rangers took advantage of Young's error. Lofton singled to score two runs and Catalanotto followed with a homer to right, giving Texas a 9-5 lead.

"Kenny and I feel like we really need to get going and jump-start the offense," said Catalanotto, who finished a double shy of a cycle. "It was good tonight, we were able to get on base. We know the guys behind us will take care of business."

Neither starting pitched lasted long. Tampa Bay's Jae Seo (0-1) lasted just three innings, allowing 10 runs - five earned - eight hits and three walks. Seo struck out three.

Texas starter Jamey Wright lasted 2 2/3 innings, allowing five runs, five hits and three walks while striking out one. Scott Feldman (1-0) who pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, picked up the first win of his career.

"I thought (Wright) got too many balls up," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "He wasn't sinking it. He couldn't get control of his command. He was getting balls up in the zone and they weren't missing. Once they got to five runs and weren't hitting the ball soft, I had to stop it right there. That's why I went to Feldman."

Wigginton finished with three hits and drove in four runs for the Devil Rays. The first baseman continues to feast on Texas pitching with a career batting average of .341 (14-for-41) with three home runs and 14 RBI.

Young hit his second home run of the season in the loss and has hit safely in all seven of Tampa Bay's games this year. B.J. Upton had two RBI for the Devil Rays.