Blue Jays 6 - 4 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Rangers, Blue Jays commence set in Arlington

Apr 25, 2011 - 3:17 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers go for a fourth straight victory this evening when they continue their homestand with the opener of a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays in Arlington.

The Rangers are 4-2 on a 10-game homestand and 10-2 overall at home this season following a three-game sweep over the Kansas City Royals. Texas finished off the series with an 8-7 victory on Sunday.

David Murphy hit a three-run double during a six-run fifth inning, while Adrian Beltre, Mike Napoli and Andres Blanco all hit solo homers for the Rangers, who had lost four of five prior to the series.

C.J. Wilson was credited with the win in a seven-inning start for Texas, striking out 10 before Brett Tomko nearly blew a four-run lead in the ninth when he surrendered a three-run homer. However, Arthur Rhodes retired Melky Cabrera for his first save since 2008.

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

Texas scored 22 runs in the three-game series and Beltre hit his seventh home run of the season on Sunday. He also leads the American League with 20 RBI and his four multi-hit contests over his past seven games.

Michael Young, meanwhile, is batting .414 (24-for-58) over a 14-game hitting streak with 10 RBI.

Colby Lewis will look to extend Texas' win streak and avoid a third straight loss when he takes the mound tonight.

The right-hander was charged with four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings of a 15-4 setback to the Angels last Tuesday, falling to 1-2 with a 5.82 earned run average through three starts this season.

Lewis, a 31-year-old, is 2-3 with an 8.39 ERA in six career games (five starts) lifetime versus the Blue Jays, yielding 23 runs and eight homers in 24 2/3 innings, though he has struck out 26 in that span as well.

Toronto's Kyle Drabek will also be aiming for his first victory in a while as he has not factored into the decision of his last three starts since winning his season debut on April 2.

Drabek faced the Yankees on Tuesday, with the 23-year-old righty yielding four runs over 5 1/3 innings in his shortest outing of the season. Drabek also walked four batters, giving him 15 in 24 innings.

Owner of a 3.00 ERA this season, Drabek has never faced the Rangers.

The Blue Jays dropped the rubber match of a three-game series with the Rays on Sunday, falling 2-0 for their second straight setback and sixth in eight games.

Ricky Romero served up a two-run homer in the first inning, but settled down to allow five hits and strike out 10 over seven innings.

"I think we're pressing a little bit, trying to get something going," Blue Jays manager John Farrell explained.

Toronto played without second baseman Aaron Hill on Sunday after placing him on the disabled list because of a right hamstring injury. Hill has been out since suffering his ailment last Tuesday, while third baseman Edwin Encarnacion remains day-to-day with a sore left wrist. He hasn't played since Friday.

The Blue Jays begin a 10-game road trip and are just 3-7 on the road this season.

Toronto won seven of 10 over Texas last season, winning two of the three meetings in Arlington.






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