Rangers 4 - 3 Twins
Final
  for this game

Hamilton's blast helps Rangers sweep Twins

Apr 15, 2012 - 10:51 PM

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Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Josh Hamilton clubbed a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Texas Rangers completed their first series sweep in Minnesota in nearly 13 years with a 4-3 win over the Twins.

Mike Napoli also homered and Elvis Andrus added an RBI triple for the Rangers, who last swept a series of at least three games in Minnesota April 22-25, 1999.

Texas' Neftali Feliz was tagged for three runs on five hits in five-plus innings. The converted reliever struck out three and walked two in his second career start. Rookie Robbie Ross (2-0) tossed two innings to earn the win in relief for a second straight day.

"It was fun to get back [on the mound] and throw again. It was really a blessing," Ross said.

Clete Thomas hit a two-run homer in his Minnesota debut after being claimed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

Liam Hendriks limited the Rangers to a run on seven hits over six innings and was in line for his first major league win before Glen Perkins (0-1) surrendered the home run to Hamilton.

Perkins issued a leadoff walk to Ian Kinsler, who scored on Andrus' triple to trim Texas' deficit to 3-2. Hamilton hammered the left-hander's next pitch to second-deck seats in right-center.

"We had them where we wanted them and I didn't get it done," Perkins said.

Mike Adams faced the minimum in the eighth for the Rangers and former Minnesota Joe Nathan earned his third save with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Napoli's one-out blast opened the scoring in the fifth, but Thomas responded with a two-out shot in the bottom of the inning.

The Twins extended their lead to 3-1 in the sixth when Denard Span led off with a triple and Jamey Carroll followed with a single.

Game Notes

Texas entered this series with a 1-9 record at Target Field...Michael Young went 3-for-4 with two doubles for the Rangers...Hendriks made his season debut after being scratched from his start last Sunday in Baltimore because of food poisoning.






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