Minneapolis, MN (My Sportsbook) - Sidney Ponson hurled his first complete game since 2005 and the
Texas Rangers used a seven-run sixth inning to clobber the
Minnesota Twins 10-1 at the Metrodome.
Ponson (3-0) allowed only one run on six hits and one walk in the win for Texas, which halted a three-game skid. The Rangers have won 14 of 21 overall.
Ian Kinsler belted a three-run homer while Ramon Vazquez, Gerald Laird and David Murphy had two runs batted in apiece. Josh Hamilton added three hits and scored twice for Texas.
Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn (4-3) allowed seven runs - only one earned - on 10 hits and one walk. Blackburn allowed six hits and all of his runs in the sixth but was also victimized by an error when Alexi Casilla dropped the relay toss of a sure double play.
Adam Everett tripled and scored the Twins only run and Joe Mauer had two hits to raise his average to .336 on the season.
After being blanked through five, Texas finally got to Blackburn, sending 10 men to the plate in the sixth. Michael Young started the scoring with a leadoff homer to left. Hamilton singled, Marlon Byrd reached on the Casilla error and two batters later Laird ripped an RBI single.
After a force out and an infield single, Texas loaded the bases with two out and Vazquez knocked in two more with a single to left.
Kinsler then cleared the bases on a three-run shot to left to make it 7-0.
Minnesota got on the board in the home half after Everett tripled to deep left leading off and Casilla brought him home with a sacrifice fly.
Juan Rincon came on for Blackburn in the seventh. Hamilton singled to lead off, stole second, and scored on a Murphy double off the base of the wall in left.
Texas tacked on two more in the ninth on a Murphy RBI double and a home run from Laird.
Game Notes
Texas manager Ron Washington and designated hitter Milton Bradley were ejected after arguing Bradley's strikeout in the bottom of the second...The Rangers designated pitcher Franklyn German for assignment prior to Wednesday's contest, and recalled pitcher Kameron Loe from Triple-A Oklahoma...Texas had won seven consecutive series entering Wednesday's action, Tuesday's loss ensures only a series split is possible...Thursday's season finale will feature Vincente Padilla (6-2) for Texas vs. Livan Hernandez (6-2) for the Twins.