The Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays in the rubber match behind a huge day from Michael Young at the plate and a great start by Matt Harrison on Sunday. With the 11-2 win, the Rangers take the series over the Jays and finish their seven game road trip 3-4 (1-3 at New York; 2-1 at Toronto).
Young home run: Young hit a three-run home run off Henderson Alvarez in the fifth inning to give the Rangers an 8-1 lead. It was Young’s fourth home run of the season and his first since May 7. He went 349 at-bats in between home runs.
Be like Mike: Young knocked in two more runs with a double in the sixth. He finished a triple shy of the cycle but had his first 5-RBI game of the season and the fifth game in his career with five or more RBIs in a game. It’s his first since April 25, 2010 against Detroit. Young’s career high is a 7-RBI game Sept. 16, 2007 at Oakland.
O-Canada: Toronto was the only American League team that Harrison had not beat. He was 0-for-2 with a 12.00 ERA in five career games (four starts) against the Blue Jays. But he turned that all around Sunday, going eight innings and allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out seven to win his 10th road game of the the season and improve to 14-7 overall.
The wave: Following David Murphy’s leadoff double in the third inning, Geovany Soto singled to right field. Third base coach Dave Anderson tested the arm of right fielder Moises Sierra by waving home Murphy. Sierra’s throw to catcher Yan Gomes was in time, but Murphy slid around Gomes to tie the game at 1-1.
Much more: Mitch Moreland had a hit in each of his three at-bats against Henderson Alvarez on May 26 in Arlington. He had a home run and two singles in against Alvarez in their first meeting. Moreland made it 4-for-4 when he followed Soto’s single with an RBI single. Moreland struck out in the fourth inning.
Kinsler’s trip: Ian Kinsler was hitless in his last 21 at-bats after a fly out in the first inning. He snapped that stretch with a double in the thirrd inning. Kinsler was 0-for-19 on the road trip until that double.
Shining bright: Josh Hamilton began Sunday’s game with a .321 batting average in day games, ranking 12th in the American League. He was 0-for-2 before connecting for an RBI double in the fifth inning that gave the Rangers a 4-1 lead. That was Hamilton’s 102nd RBI of the season.
Up next: The Rangers return home for a 10-game home stand against Baltimore, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. On Monday at 7:05 pm, the Rangers play the first of three vs. Baltimore. RHP Ryan Dempster (6-6, 3.12) and RHP Miguel Gonzalez (5-2, 3.38) are the starting pitchers. (Radio & TV: ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW).