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Beltre and Young power Rangers past Royals

Sep 6, 2012 - 4:52 AM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Adrian Beltre hit a three-run homer, Michael Young belted a solo shot and the Texas Rangers edged the Kansas City Royals, 7-6, on Wednesday.

Ryan Dempster (5-1) earned his fourth straight win. The veteran righty allowed two runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts over six innings.

"To get to the playoffs, I'm just trying to do my part every fifth day and be as prepared as I can," said Dempster. "When my number's up, go out there and do the best that I can."

Joe Nathan gave up an RBI single to Alcides Escobar in the ninth before retiring Alex Gordon to record his 29th save of the season.

The Rangers, who have won two of three to start this series, hold a five-game lead over the Oakland Athletics atop the AL West.

Everett Teaford (1-4) was charged with three runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings and took the loss in his fifth start of the season.

Billy Butler finished with three doubles, an RBI and two runs scored for the Royals.

Beltre's 29th homer of the season came in the first inning.

"To give them a whole three-run cushion right out of the gates is obviously not acceptable," said Teaford.

In the home half, Butler ripped an RBI double to center. He doubled again in the sixth and crossed the plate when Salvador Perez followed with a two- bagger, making it 3-2.

The Rangers, though, responded with three runs in the seventh, which began with Young's sixth homer of the year.

Later in the frame, a walk to Geovany Soto and a double by pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland placed runners on second and third. Ian Kinsler followed with a sacrifice fly before Elvis Andrus' base hit to center made it 6-2.

In the bottom half, Jeff Francoeur scored on a wild pitch by Alexi Ogando and David Lough added a sac fly. Beltre then tripled to begin the eighth and crossed the plate on a single by Nelson Cruz.

Butler's final double of the night came in the home half. The designated hitter then advanced to third base on a wild pitch by Mike Adams and scored on Mike Moustakas' fielder's choice groundout.

Game Notes

With the win, the Rangers matched their best start in club history through 136 games ... Dempster improved to 2-0 in three career starts against Kansas City ... Butler recorded his fifth career three double game.