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Millwood, Young help Rangers defeat Orioles

Apr 11, 2008 - 2:15 AM ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Kevin Millwood finally got the result he wanted.

Millwood tossed seven strong innings as the Texas Rangers posted a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of their doubleheader on Thursday.

Michael Young had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run and Josh Hamilton added two RBI for Texas, which snapped Baltimore' six-game winning streak.

Millwood (1-2) yielded one run, three hits and five walks while striking out two to finally get in the winning column after three impressive starts.

In his previous start, the Texas righthander surrendered just two runs in a 2-1 complete-game loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last Saturday. It came on the heels of his first outing of 2008 when he gave up only two unearned runs in six frames in a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Opening Day.

"My whole goal was to get off to a good start this year and pitch well," said Millwood, whose ERA remained at 1.29 after the win over Baltimore. "I think I've done that. To get one in the win column and have something to show for it is nice."

The Rangers have totaled just six runs in his three starts.

However, Millwood wasn't that impressed by his own effort.

"My curveball stunk, and that's normally my out pitch," Millwood said. "My slider was good and I probably had my best fastball all year. It wasn't going where I wanted it but hopefully it was just one game. I felt I was able to make pitches when I needed to."

But Rangers manager Ron Washington has been thrilled by all of the 12-year veterans outings so far.

"We've needed Kevin to lead this pitching staff, and he's been great doing that," Washington said.

With the contest even at 1-1, Ian Kinsler singled to left field and stole second. Young then drove a single to center off Baltimore starter Steve Trachsel (1-1) for his second hit of the game, giving Texas the lead.

Young also stole second and advanced to third on catcher Ramon Hernandez's throwing error before scoring on Josh Hamilton's sacrifice fly to right, just beating Hernandez's tag to make it 3-1.

Trachsel was nearly as effective, allowing five hits and two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.

"Both starting pitchers were on their game," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "Trachsel made some great pitches. Millwood is a crafty veteran. He uses both sides of the plate, and he had good movement on his pitches."

The game which was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader due to Wednesday's rainout gave both starters an advantage because of the setting sun.

"With due respect, I thought both pitchers benefited from the time the game started (4:05 p.m. CDT)," Trembley said. "The batters were having a hard time seeing the ball."

The Rangers took the lead in the first, when Young reached on right fielder Nick Markakis' error and scored on a double by Hamilton.

Baltimore tied the game in the second, when Aubrey Huff walked, stole second and scored on Hernandez's single.