ARLINGTON, Texas, 27 June 2004 — Kenny Rogers pitched a complete game three-hitter as the Rangers won the opener of their three-game Texas series, beating the Houston Astros 3-1 in Interleague play on Friday.
The Rangers won their seventh straight game behind Rogers, who became the American League’s first 10-game winner with the victory.
Roger Clemens and Jason Schmidt both have 10 victories in the National League.
Rogers (10-2) struck out two and walked one while pitching his second complete game of the season and 35th of his career.
The 39-year-old joined Houston’s 41-year-old Roger Clemens as the only 10-game winners in the major leagues this season.
The Rangers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when David Dellucci tripled to right-center, knocking in Mark Teixeira, who singled to lead off the bottom of the second.
They added another run in the fourth on an error. Alfonso Soriano later homered for the Rangers, who spolied the debut of Carlos Beltran in a Houston uniform. Beltran did score the lone run for the Astros on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Kent. Wade Miller (7-7) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs while striking out two but walking six to take the loss.
In other Interleague games, Mark Grudzielanek hit a three-run homer, powering the Chicago Cubs to a 7-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Ramon Martinez also homered for the Cubs and Michael Barrett drove in a pair of runs. Mark Prior (2-1) allowed just two hits and one run over five innings for the win and LaTroy Hawkins pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save. Jon Garland (5-5) allowed five runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and took the loss. Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer for the White Sox.
Jason Johnson tossed a one-hitter over eight innings, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 2-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In Toronto, Reed Johnson drove in a pair of runs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Montreal Expos 3-1. Josh Towers (2-2) allowed just one run in seven-plus innings for the win. Jason Frasor pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save.
Larry Walker hit three home runs, including the game-winner in the 10th inning, lifting the Colorado Rockies to a 10-8 win over the Cleveland Indians.
In Boston, Manny Ramirez homered and drove in five runs as the Boston Red Sox cruised to a 12-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in a game shortened to eight innings by rain.
Pedro Martinez allowed one run on two hits over seven innings for the win.
Jim Thome homered for the Phillies lone run. Dewon Brazelton pitched no-hit ball for 7 2/3 innings as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays blanked the Florida Marlins 2-0 for their 12th straight Interleague victory.
Daniel Cabrera pitched a four-hitter for his first major league shutout, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 5-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. Melvin Mora homered for the Orioles and Larry Bigbie had three doubles.
In Kansas City, Scott Rolen homered and drove in four runs as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2.
Cristian Guzman homered and scored four runs as the Minnesota Twins registered a 6-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Phil Nevin’s two-run single gave the San Diego Padres a 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners. Brian Lawrence won his ninth game of the season for the Padres, as a base-running mistake by Seattle’s Hiram Bocahica resulted in the last out of the game.
In Oakland, Jason Schmidt won his 10th game of the season as the San Francisco Giants won their seventh straight, beating the Athletics 6-4. Schmidt (10-2) won his 10th consecutive decision while allowing four runs on five hits over 8 1/3 innings.
Barry Zito (4-5) took the loss.
Adam Kennedy homered and had four hits to lead the Anaheim Angels to a 13-0 mauling of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Vladimir Guerrero, Jose Guillen and Darin Erstad all also homered for the Angels, who had 22 hits.
The scheduled game between the New York Yankees and New York Mets was rained out at Yankee Stadium. The teams will play a day/night doubleheader today.
In the only scheduled National League game, pinch-hitter Willy Mo Pena hit a grand slam home run in the seventh inning to spark a six-run rally that led the Cincinnati Reds past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4.
