Twins 4 - 2 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Rangers try for series win over Twins

Sep 1, 2013 - 12:20 PM (Sports Network) - Travis Blackley tries to make it two wins in as many starts for the Texas Rangers on Sunday when they conclude a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

After getting a no-decision in his fist start with the Rangers since being acquired from Houston, Blackley beat Seattle on Monday, as he held the Mariners to a three runs and five hits in six frames.

"Blackley did a great job out there giving up six strong innings," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "He has an idea of what he is doing out there. He's able to change speeds, use his changeup and curveball and move his fastball around."

Blackley had made 42 relief appearances for the Astros before being dealt the Rangers on Aug. 14. Overall he is 2-1 on the year with a 4.80 ERA.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with righty Kevin Correia, who was terrific in his last start, but had nothing to show for it, despite throwing a career- high 118 pitches. Correia held the Kansas City Royals scoreless for seven innings, but received no run support and did not factor in the decision of his team's 6-1 loss.

"He pitched very well," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "A strong effort by him throwing the ball. He used all of his pitches, he had them all working for him just like their guy did."

Correia, who is 8-10 on the year with a 4.32 ERA, is 2-0 lifetime versus the Rangers with a 1.76 ERA in three games (2 starts) against them.

After losing Friday's opener, Texas bounced back on Saturday, as Leonys Martin's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth lifted the AL West-leading Rangers to a 2-1 victory.

"We put our self in a position to win, and Leonys came through," Washington said.

However, the Rangers, who lead the AL West by two games over Oakland, will likely have to get by in Sunday's finale without Elvis Andrus. The shortstop's season-long back problems resurfaced Saturday and he had to leave the game.

Minnesota, of course, was without former AL MVP Justin Morneau, who was shipped to Pittsburgh earlier in the day on Saturday after spending the first 11-plus years of his career with the Twins.

Minnesota has split six matchups with the Rangers this season.






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