Texas Rangers Ian Kinsler waves after his triple in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game in Arlington, Texas. With the triple, Kinsler, a CDO graduate, hit for the cycle.
ARLINGTON, Texas – Tucson native Ian Kinsler bolted out of the batter’s box as soon as the ball left his bat. He was headed to third base, no matter what.
Texas had a big lead over Baltimore in the sixth, and the Canyon del Oro High grad already had the chance to accomplish the rare feat of a cycle Wednesday with a long flyball into right-center field.
“I wasn’t going to stop at second,” Kinsler said.
He got up and slapped his hands together after sliding head-first into third without a throw for the triple to complete the fourth cycle in team history, and the Rangers went on to a 19-6 win over the Orioles to snap a five-game losing streak.
Texas trailed 2-0 when Kinsler led off in the first. He doubled, then added a solo homer in the third and two singles in an eight-run fourth.
“It’s more special on Jackie Robinson Day,” said Kinsler, a second baseman like Robinson. “He’s a guy that could do everything in the game.” He became only the second Texas player with a six-hit game – Alfonso Soriano did it in 2004 – and then scored his fifth run, matching another team record.
Kinsler is the 38th American League player in history to get six hits in a game and the 10th this decade.
Red Sox 8, Athletics 2: In Oakland, Calif., Tim Wakefield took a no-hitter into the eighth inning on a day when the Red Sox desperately needed a strong start from their 42-year-old knuckleballer and finished with a four-hitter. Wakefield (1-1) got within five outs of the first no-hitter of his 17-season major league career, nearly becoming the second-oldest pitcher to accomplish the feat after Nolan Ryan.
Mariners 11, Angels 3: In Seattle, Ken Griffey Jr. hit career home run No. 613 and his 400th as a Mariner in his second home game of his return season in Seattle. Ichiro Suzuki had two hits in his season debut after his first career stint on the disabled list, including his first grand slam in six years to tie Isao Harimoto’s Japanese record with hit No. 3,085.
Blue Jays 12, Twins 2: In Minneapolis, Aaron Hill went 4-for-5 with one of Toronto’s four home runs in four innings against Minnesota starter Scott Baker, and the Blue Jays kept up their torrid hitting.
Indians 5, Royals 4: In Kansas City, Mo., Travis Hafner’s second double keyed a three-run seventh inning, and Cleveland picked up its first road win of the year while avoiding a three-game sweep.
Yankees 4, Rays 3: In St. Petersburg, Fla., Andy Pettitte pitched into the eighth inning, Robinson Cano hit a two-run homer and Derek Jeter singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth. New York returned home for Thursday’s debut of the $1.5 billion new Yankee Stadium. N.Y. right-fielder Xavier Nady will be put on the disabled list with a right elbow injury. Nick Swisher will replace Nady in right field.
Tigers 9, White Sox 0: In Detroit, Armando Galarraga threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Placido Polanco drove in three runs.
NL: Dodgers down Giants
LOS ANGELES – James Loney drew his second bases-loaded walk with one out in the ninth off Bob Howry (0-1) to give the Dodgers a 5-4 win over San Francisco. Singles by Orlando Hudson and Manny Ramirez gave the Dodgers runners at the corners.
Rockies 5, Cubs 2: In Chicago, Jason Marquis hit a two-run single off Rich Harden to put Colorado ahead against his former team. Marquis (2-0), booed several times, hit a bases-loaded single in the second and allowed one run and five hits in seven innings.
Marlins 10, Braves 4: In Atlanta, Dan Uggla drove in three runs for the second straight game for Florida (7-1), off to its best start since 1997.
Mets 7, Padres 2: In New York, Oliver Perez rebounded from a rough season debut and New York earned its first victory at Citi Field.
Astros 4, Pirates 1: In Pittsburgh, Mike Hampton pitched six shutout innings and Houston snapped a five-game losing streak.
Brewers 9, Reds 3: In Milwaukee, Mike Cameron hit a pair of home runs to spoil the Cincinnati pitching debut of Micah Owings (0-1).