Rangers Score 20 Runs in Win over Twins; Yadier Molina Keeps Cards Tied for First

Players of the Day for Monday, July 25, 2011

American League

Ian Kinsler

When all of their position players are healthy, the Texas Rangers have undoubtedly one of the most potent offensive attacks in the majors. To prove their point, the Rangers knocked out 27 hits in a devastating display of hitting, defeating the visiting Minnesota Twins, 20-7, in the first of a three-game series.

The hits and runs were the most by any major league team this season. Every starting player had at least two hits, except for third baseman Chris Davis, who went 0-for-6.

Playing as DH, Ian Kinsler led the assault from the top of the order, going 4-for-6 with a double, home run, four RBI and two runs. Nelson Cruz and catcher Mike Napoli also collected four hits.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had the most erudite quote, saying, “the first five innings looked like a ZIP code, that will tell you how it went…33354.”

The only innings in which the Rangers did not scare were the 6th and 8th, the latter pitched by Twins' outfielder Michael Cuddyer, though he loaded the bases with one out before setting down the last two Texas batters the Twins needed to face.

The win put the Rangers four games to the good over the Angels in the West. The Twins, who have been trying to get to .500 after a horrible April, remained in fourth place in the tightening Central division, seven game behind the Detroit Tigers.

National League

Yadier Molina

The St. Louis Cardinals are in the fight of their lives for the lead in the NL Central, having to fend off the surprising Pirates, along with the defending division champion Reds and the hard-hitting Brewers.

On Monday night, the Cards did what they do best, bludgeoning the Houston Astros, 10-5, to remained tied with Pittsburgh atop the division. The Pirates dumped Atlanta, 3-1.

Yadier Molina showed off his power stroke, going 3-for-4 with a double and his 8th home run, driving in two runs and scoring three times.

The idle Brewers dropped 1/2 game behind the dual division leaders, while the Reds were stymied by the Mets, 4-2, falling four games off the pace.

STREAKS: Seattle lost their 16th consecutive game, a 10-3 laugher by the Yankees to open a three-game series in New York.