Bourgeois: Swipes second
(c) Associated Press
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Ian Kinsler broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth with a three-run homer off Josh Banks as the Texas Rangers toppled the Astros, 7-2, on Saturday to claim the Silver Boot for another year. Banks, called up from Round Rock to replace Felipe Paulino, made it through the order once before trouble arose. Kinsler doubled to open the third and scored on Vladimir Guerrero's single.
That was just a warm-up for the fourth when Max Ramirez doubled to plate Justin Smoak and, one out later, Michael Young singled before Kinsler unloaded on a 2-1 pitch to the seats in left.
Lefty C.J. Wilson, who struggled last Sunday with a no-decision in Houston, had few troubles in his seven innings. A two-run homer by Jason Michaels was the only scoring blow. Michaels had two hits, as did Jason Bourgeois who was subbing for Michael Bourn in center field. Carlos Lee had the only other Houston hit.
Meanwhile, the Rangers tallied twice more in the fifth on their way to a 15-hit afternoon. Texas stopped the Astros' three-game winning streak.
Houston has a chance to win the weekend series Sunday evening when Roy Oswalt (5-9) takes the hill against Tommy Hunter (3-0) in a 7:05 Central finale. Oswalt looks to move within one win of the franchise record held by the late Joe Niekro.
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