Ian Kinsler Sends Rangers Past Jays; Yadier Molina Powers Cardinals with Grand Slam

Players of the Day for Sunday, May 27, 2012

American League

Completing the three-game sweep of the Blue Jays with a 12-6 victory, the Texas Rangers have once again powered their way to the best record in the American League with a 30-18 mark, and lead the surging LA Angels - winners of six straight - by 6 1/2 games.

Ian Kinsler

Texas got going in a hurry, scoring seven times in the second inning and two more in the third, while the Jays were only able to muster single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, clearly not enough to close up the gap.

Ian Kinsler was the driver of the early scoring, doubling and driving in two in the second inning before socking his 6th homer of the season, with a man aboard in the third.

The regular leadoff hitter for the Rangers, Kinsler has touched home plate 41 times this season, four more than teammate Josh Hamilton, who is tied for second with Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez, with 37.

National League

Yadier Molina

After losing three straight at home to the Phillies, the Cardinals finally got a win to avoid a four-game sweep - a no-doubt, 8-3 victory in the series finale, but the poor recent record of 3-7 has dropped St. Louis from the top spot in the Central division, as Reds have surged past, winning eight of their last ten.

The Cardinals were aided by catcher Yadier Molina, who stroked a first-inning grand slam off Philly starter Roy Hallady, who lasted only two innings in the shortest stint of the season.

With Halladay chased from the mound, Adam Wainwright protected the early lead allowing one earned run off of seven hits over six innings, earning his fourth victory against five losses.

The Cardinals trail the Reds by 1 1/2 games in the division. The Phillies, despite better play recently, are still stuck in last place in the East, five games off the pace being set by the Washington Nationals.