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Rangers hold off Royals to complete sweep

Apr 25, 2011 - 12:23 AM Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - David Murphy hit a three-run double in Texas' six-run fifth inning, and the Rangers held on for an 8-7 victory to complete a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals.

Brett Tomko nearly blew a four-run lead in the ninth when he surrendered a three-run homer to Mike Aviles, but Arthur Rhodes retired Melky Cabrera for his first save since 2008.

Adrian Beltre, Mike Napoli and Andres Blanco each posted solo home runs for the Rangers, who had lost four of five entering the series.

"We were up and down as of a few days ago. It's good to get back on track," Murphy said.

C.J. Wilson (3-0) was credited with the win in a seven-inning start for Texas, allowing four runs on eight hits while walking one and fanning 10.

Bruce Chen (3-1) was touched for six runs on seven hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss for the first time this season for Kansas City, which has lost six of eight overall.

Solo home runs by Jeff Francoeur and Aviles in the fourth and fifth innings offset round-trippers by Napoli in the second and Beltre in the fourth.

The Rangers took control in the home half of the fifth, sparked by Blanco's go-ahead leadoff shot inside the left-field foul pole.

Julio Borbon and Mitch Moreland reached on walks, and Michael Young ended Chen's outing with an RBI single. Jeremy Jeffress walked two more hitters -- the last a free pass to Napoli that forced a run in -- and Murphy hit a gapper to left-center that brought in three runs for an 8-2 game.

Run-scoring hits from Alcides Escobar and Chris Getz in the seventh brought the Royals within four.

"They outplayed us in all aspects of the game," Aviles said. "They're a good team. That's why they were in the World Series last year."

Game Notes

Tomko's appearance was his first in the majors since 2009. He tossed a scoreless eighth before two-out singles in the ninth from Escobar and Getz preceded Aviles' blast...Chen had won his previous seven decisions dating back to last season...The Rangers earned their third sweep of the season and have won eight straight against the Royals at home...Aviles ended with three hits.