Published: August 17, 2009 11:53 pm      

Rangers hold off Twins 8-5

By DAVID JIMENEZ

Associated Press Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marlon Byrd drove in three runs and the Texas Rangers extended their lead in the AL wild-card race, beating the slumping Minnesota Twins 8-5 Monday night.

After taking two of three over the weekend from Boston, the Rangers stretched their advantage to one game over the Red Sox atop the wild-card standings.

Josh Hamilton had two hits and scored twice as he batted third in the Rangers lineup for the first time since July 25. David Murphy added two RBIs for Texas, which jumped out to a 7-2 lead after the second.

Tommy Hunter (6-2) won his third straight start, allowing four runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Minnesota All-Star first baseman Justin Morneau left in the fourth inning after experiencing dizziness. The 2006 MVP came into the game leading the AL with 94 RBIs.

Joe Mauer went 3 for 5 and homered for the Twins, who have lost 12 of 16. He pushed his hitting streak to 14 games and raised baseball’s best batting average to .380.

Twins starter Francisco Liriano (5-12) gave up seven runs, tying a career high, and seven hits in two innings. It was Liriano’s shortest start since lasting two-thirds of an inning April 24, 2008 against Oakland.

Liriano, Oakland’s Trevor Cahill and Baltimore’s Jeremy Guthrie are tied with the most losses in the AL.

Minnesota starting pitchers have lasted only a combined 8 1-3 innings the past three games.

After Hunter was taken out in favor of Darren O’Day, the Twins scored three times to come within 7-5.

Delmon Young had a bases-loaded walk and Nick Punto added a two-run single before the Rangers brought in Neftali Feliz to get the final out of the sixth.

Frank Francisco pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 18th save.

The Rangers answered Mauer’s 23rd home run with three runs in the first.

Byrd was hit in the foot by a pitch with the bases loaded, Murphy followed with an RBI single and Hank Blalock added a sacrifice fly to put the Rangers ahead 3-1.

Young’s RBI double cut Minnesota’s deficit to 3-2.

Byrd had a two-run single, Murphy hit a sacrifice fly and Andruw Jones chipped in with an RBI single that extended Texas’ advantage to 7-2.

Elvis Andrus capped the scoring with an RBI triple in the seventh.

NOTES: Texas C Kevin Richardson had two hits in his first career game. ... Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said LHP Brian Duensing would make Thursday night’s start against Texas in place of RHP Anthony Swarzak, 0-3 with an 18.00 ERA in his last three starts. Swarzak moves to the bullpen. ... Texas 2B Ian Kinsler, who was hit by a pitch that ricocheted off his shoulder to his head Saturday night, was plunked again. This time, the pitch brushed the front of his jersey near his belt.