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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Well, here you go.

The Rangers traded for Matt Garza because of his reputation for being a big-game pitcher. Thursday night's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels qualifies as a big game.

A huge game.

The Rangers are running out of games -- there are four left -- and Tampa Bay and Cleveland aren't losing in front of them. So the only thing Texas can do is keep winning. Odds are the Rays and Indians won't win out.

That's where the Rangers turn to Garza and the rest of their rotation. Rangers starters are 5-0 with a 1.86 ERA in their last nine games. Texas is 6-3 during that stretch.

Garza had a big-game performance in his last start Saturday at Kansas City, allowing a run in eight innings. He kept things simple and commanded the strike zone.

"I've just got to keep it simple," Garza said. "That's kind of been my whole thing and it's kind of who I am. It's no time to work on anything anymore."

WHAT'S UP NOW: Rapid Reaction from Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the Astros. Plus, a postgame blog on Leonys Martin helping the Rangers keep pace in the wild-card race.

UP NEXT: It's all about Garza as he faces Angels right-hander Jerome Williams at 7:05 p.m. Thursday night on Fox Sports Southwest, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and 1540-AM.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Who will lose first -- Tampa Bay or Cleveland?

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers are running out of time, so all they can do is keep winning -- the way they did Wednesday night -- rallying past the lowly Houston Astros for a 7-3 victory.

Eventually the Rangers will get some help. Right?

It didn't look good around the time the Rangers came to bat in the bottom of the fourth inning trailing the Astros 3-1. Texas had mustered one hit off Houston starter Dallas Keuchel.

Making things more tense, Evan Longoria had just hit a three-run home run to give Tampa Bay a 6-2 lead on the Yankees. Cleveland was beating the White Sox for the second straight night.

And it looked as if the Rangers were going quietly in the fourth with Adrian Beltre and A.J. Pierzynski both grounding out.

Then Jeff Baker, playing in his first game in the three-game series, had a single. Mitch Moreland walked. And Craig Gentry was hit by a pitch.

The Rangers were building momentum. They took the lead with one swing when Leonys Martin, in a 4-for-22 skid, lined a double past Astros right fielder L.J. Hoes to the wall to clear the bases for a 4-3 lead. Ian Kinsler and Alex Rios followed with RBI singles for a 6-3 lead.

Just like that, the Rangers were on their way to their 17th win of the season against their in-state rivals. And, yes, still staying within striking distances of the Rays and Indians with four games to go in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting races in which the Rangers have been.

The Rangers remained two games behind Tampa Bay and a game behind Cleveland in the chase for the two wild-card spots. It's frustrating for the Rangers that the Rays and Indians are both riding five-game winning streaks. Shortstop Elvis Andrus admitted that again Wednesday night.

But the Rangers aren't buckling under the pressure of needing to win.

"We put ourselves in this position," Kinsler said. "We need to win some games and get some help."

(Read full post)

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers have reassigned senior director of player development Tim Purpura within the organization, multiple sources confirmed Wednesday night.

Purpura's reassignment was first reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Purpura was hired in 2011 to replace farm director Scott Servais, who left for the Los Angeles Angels. Purpura had been the general manager of the Houston Astros from 2004 to '07 and an Executive Vice President of Minor League Baseball before being brought on by the Rangers.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels declined to comment at this time.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers finished off a sweep of the Houston Astros on Wednesday night with a 7-3 victory and they needed it, because the teams they are chasing in the American League wild-card race keep on winning.

The Rangers completed their season series with the Houston Astros with a 17-2 record, their most wins in a single season against an opponent in franchise history.

AL wild card: The Rangers have won three straight games but haven't picked up any ground on Tampa Bay or Cleveland. The Rays stayed two ahead of the Rangers with an 8-3 win at New York and the Indians beat the White Sox 7-2 to stay one game up on Texas.

Must-have inning: The Rangers trailed 3-1 before they erupted for five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Both Tampa Bay and Cleveland had comfortable leads in their games at the time. The Rangers loaded the bases after two were out. Jeff Baker had a single, Mitch Moreland had a walk and Craig Gentry was hit by a pitch. Leonys Martin then cleared the bases with a clutch line drive double into right field that got past L.J. Hoes to the wall. Ian Kinsler and Alex Rios later had RBI singles to extend the Rangers' lead to 6-3.

Laird homers for Astros: Brandon Laird -- Former Ranger Gerald Laird's brother -- flashed his power with a two-run home run to straightaway center field in the top of the fourth as Houston took a 3-1 lead. Martin got back to the wall and made a leaping effort but the ball eluded his glove and went over the fence for Laird's fifth home run.

Perez gets quality start: Rookie Martin Perez delivered a quality start despite giving up the lead in the top of the fourth. He went seven innings and gave up three runs and six hits. Perez won his 10th game of the season as he joined Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Matt Garza as double-digit winners this season.

Kinsler goes deep: Ian Kinsler added to the Rangers' lead with a solo shot to left field with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, giving Texas a 7-3 lead. It was Kinsler's first home run at Rangers Ballpark since July 3. He had four home runs on the road before finally going deep in Arlington.

Gentry reaches 20: Gentry stole his 20th base in the third inning, extending his career high. The Rangers have four players with 20 or more steals this season; the others are Elvis Andrus with 41, Rios with 40 (26 for the White Sox before he arrived in Texas) and Martin with 34.

Up next: The Rangers play their final four games of the regular season at home against the rival Los Angeles Angels. Even with the Halos eliminated, it will be an intense series. The Rangers will call on right-hander Garza (10-6, 3.90 ERA) against Angels right-hander Jerome Williams (9-10, 4.55) in the opener on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and 1540-AM.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers manager Ron Washington refused to lament his club's situation Wednesday, still stuck behind Tampa Bay and Cleveland in the American League wild-card race.

He wants the fans to be excited, to enjoy these last five games.

Yes, if the season ended today, the Rangers would be out of the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

PODCAST
Chuck Cooperstein joins Ian Fitzsimmons and Tim MacMahon to discuss why he feels Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish isn't an ace. Listen

But it's not over yet.

"It's fun, it's nerve-wracking, it's all of the above," Washington said. "No matter what, I'm proud of these guys for the way they have fought all year with all the adversity. They never complained.

"It's fun, it's nerve-wracking and your stomach gets in knots. But what doesn't get in knots is your focus. You have to do what you have to do. You've got to live with what's going on in front of us."

The Rangers may be victims of their own success when it comes to perception with their fans and some of those that opine about the club. One local columnist compared this week to a funeral procession.

National and local columnists and talk shows are already playing the blame game with the Rangers a game out of the second wild-card spot.

The Rangers are 7-15 in September and another final month fade could be happening in Arlington. Texas had a two-game lead in the AL West when September started and Oakland clinched its second consecutive division title on Sunday as the Rangers faltered.

Still, the Rangers could win their final five games -- all at home -- and make the playoffs. Maybe even make the World Series for a third time in four years.

“You look at every other city that has a chance of being in the playoffs now, and there’s joy,” Washington said. “I don’t see a whole lot of joy in Arlington. I’m not knocking anybody. I just don’t see it. All they can talk about is how we collapsed. That’s not right.”

Moreland back at first: Mitch Moreland drew Wednesday's start against a left-hander, Houston's Dallas Keuchel. He has hits in two straight games after going though an 0-for-14 stretch.

Remember that Moreland hit a home run off the last left-handed starter the Rangers faced, Tampa Bay's Matt Moore, on Thursday in an 8-2 victory.

"My options are limited, so I put him in there," Washington said. "He may catch one. He is my best first baseman, so I'm going to take my chances and see what happens."

Wash trusts Frasor: There was still much discussion Wednesday about Washington opting for reliever Jason Frasor with runners at first and third and two outs in the bottom of the eighth with the Rangers clinging to a 3-2 lead over Houston and not closer Joe Nathan for a four-out save.

Washington trusts Frasor, and the veteran reliever came through for him after taking the loss Friday in Kansas City.

"Early on he was just having trouble getting going," Washington said. "But the more we've been able to get him the ball, the more in tune he has become with his stuff."

Frasor, who first starting warming up in the fourth inning with Yu Darvish struggling, entered the game four innings later.

"I've pitched in the fourth (inning) and the ninth in my career," Frasor said. "I was ready to go."

Short hops: The Rangers have won 86 games for a club-record five consecutive seasons. They had won 86-plus games just twice in franchise history before this winning run. ... Darvish has a major league-league leading 269 strikeouts, equaling the most in a single season since Randy Johnson had 290 Ks for Arizona in 2004. Justin Verlander also had 269 punchouts in 2009.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jeff Baker is in the lineup as the designated hitter for Wednesday's game against Houston and Mitch Moreland is sticking at first base with left-hander Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the Astros.

Here are Wednesday's starting lineups for the final game of the season between the Lone Star State's two major league teams:

RANGERS
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
RF Alex Rios
3B Adrian Beltre
C A.J. Pierzynski
DH Jeff Baker
1B Mitch Moreland
LF Craig Gentry
CF Leonys Martin
P Martin Perez

ASTROS
SS Jonathan Villar
2B Jose Altuve
3B Matt Dominguez
1B Chris Carter
LF J.D. Martinez
DH Brandon Laird
RF L.J. Hoes
C Cody Clark
CF Brandon Barnes
P Dallas Keuchel

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers go for the three-game sweep of Houston with rookie left-hander Martin Perez facing Astos lefty Dallas Keuchel at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday night on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and Deportes 1540 AM.

PODCAST
Chuck Cooperstein joins Ian Fitzsimmons and Tim MacMahon to discuss why he feels Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish isn't an ace. Listen

Perez (9-5, 3.54 ERA): Perez is 0-2 in his last three starts after winning six in a row from Aug. 5 to Sept. 3. ... He took a no-decision in the Rangers' 2-1 loss at Kansas City on Friday night, allowing a run in 5 2/3 innings. ... Perez will try for his 10th win for the fourth time, hoping to join Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Matt Garza (between the AL and NL) with double-digit wins. ... Perez is tied with Matt Harrison for the most wins by a Rangers rookie left-hander. ... Perez had the best start of his career in his only appearance against the Astros this season, throwing a complete game while striking out a career-high eight. He was one strike away from a shutout but allowed a home run to Chris Carter.

Keuchel (6-9, 4.99 ERA): Keuchel is making his final start of the season. ... He is 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA in his last six starts and has allowed 43 hits in 34 innings over that span. ... Keuchel did pitch well in his last start Thursday against Cleveland, allowing one run in seven innings. He had seven strikeouts and walked only one. ... Opponents are batting .299 against him. ... Keuchel is 0-5 with an 11.10 ERA in six career road starts. ... He allowed a run in five innings in his only start against the Rangers.

Hitters: Adrian Beltre is 4-for-12 with two doubles against Keuchel. Chris Carter is 4-for-8 with two home runs and three RBIs against Perez.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Anyone who says they're not scoreboard watching this week is lying.

It's as much a part of baseball as home runs, hot dogs and, in the Rangers' case, running the bases with reckless abandon.

PODCAST
Chuck Cooperstein joins Ian Fitzsimmons and Tim MacMahon to discuss why he feels Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish isn't an ace. Listen

In the Rangers' case, it's unavoidable. They need help. And fast.

They didn't get it Tuesday night when one of the most shocking moments of the season, a walk-off home run by 42-year-old Jason Giambi -- batting .176 -- kept Cleveland in front of the Rangers by a game for the second wild-card spot.

Wednesday night will bring more scoreboard watching and, in the fans' case, more anxiety. Know that the players and manager will be watching too while they do what they can control -- win another game.

"I think every inning I was watching the scoreboard," third baseman Adrian Beltre said. "It’s right there to look at, so every time I get a chance I look back to see what the score was."

The news that the Indians won? Yes, that was disappointing. The Rangers aren't used to being in this position of needing help.

"I heard one of my teammates told me, and you kind of hate it," Andrus said. "You could’ve been easily tied in the race today, but that’s baseball. You’ve got to come tomorrow, win the game and see what happens."

What's up now: Rapid Reaction from Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Astros. Plus, Beltre finally ends his home run drought.

On deck: Martin Perez faces Dallas Keuchel in a battle of left-handers at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday night at Rangers Ballpark.

Question of the day: Are you concerned about Yu Darvish after he failed to make it through six innings for the second straight start?

ARLINGTON, Texas -- A relieved Adrian Beltre cranked his first home run in 28 days in the Rangers' 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

It was a moment that, quite honestly, Beltre hasn't delivered in a while. He had carried the Rangers in July and August. He even pushed his way into the American League MVP race.

But the power had been out since Aug. 28 in Seattle. Beltre had reached 83 at-bats without a home run when he stepped up in the bottom of the sixth with the scored tied at 2. That's when he finally delivered against Astros starter Brad Peacock, sending a rocket into the left-field seats to give Texas a win on a wild night in the American League wild-card race.

When Beltre homers, the Rangers win. They are now 24-3 when he goes deep.

"Apparently, I found out a way today," Beltre said of his 29th homer. "It’s been a long time. It felt good. It felt really good. I haven’t had that feeling in a long time."

Neither had his teammates. They were sleeping when he arrived to the dugout instead of fighting to get to him to take his helmet off and touch his head, something he hates. This time, only manager Ron Washington came up on the dugout steps to greet Beltre.

"I can’t blame them," Beltre said. "It’s been a long time, but hopefully that’ll be the beginning of a couple this week. Not because I hit a homer, but because it was a good spot to hit it to give our ballclub the lead, and that’s what I want."

This was another big win because the Astros team that sleepwalked through a 12-0 loss on Monday was much more energized for the Rangers and Yu Darvish. Not to mention that the Rangers desperately needed the win to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians, who both won their fifth straight game on Tuesday.

The Indians won 5-4 over the Chicago White Sox on a walk-off homer by 42-year-old Jason Giambi. Beltre admitted he was scoreboard watching and saw that Cleveland had won to stay a game ahead of the Rangers. Texas is two back of the Rays for the first wild-card spot.

"I think every inning I was watching the scoreboard," Beltre said. "It’s right there to look at, so every time I get a chance, I look[ed] back to see what the score was."

The Rangers won a night when Darvish again wasn't at his best. For the third time in September, he didn't make it through six innings. Also for the third time since the All-Star break, Darvish allowed a game-tying home run after the Rangers had given him the lead. The Astros joined the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox by accomplishing that against Darvish.

Darvish didn't have much to say about giving up another lead.

"The most important thing right now is to win a game," Darvish said. "I was able to keep us in the game, and that's all I can say."

The bullpen -- along with Beltre -- won the game for the Rangers. Neal Cotts got three outs, and Tanner Scheppers picked up four as Washington went to the bullpen earlier with the game on the line.

Then, with two runners on and two outs in the top of the eighth and Scheppers tiring -- he said so after the game -- Washington went to Jason Frasor, who got Astros catcher Carlos Corporan out.

Frasor took the loss on Friday in Kansas City when Neftali Feliz walked in the go-ahead run with the bases loaded, all runners Frasor had put on. So Frasor wanted to get the bad taste out of his mouth.

He threw two fastballs to Corporan to get ahead. He threw a third to Corporan, who hit a ball to shallow center field that looked like it was dropping at first. Center fielder Leonys Martin came in and made the catch, ending the inning.

"When I first saw it go up, I thought it was going to fall in," Frasor said. "I couldn't tell how shallow Leonys was playing. He must have gotten a good jump. He came in and got it."

Joe Nathan closed it out, and the Rangers are still in striking distance of the Indians and Rays with five games to go.

And Adrian Beltre has his power back.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltre ended a long home run drought and the Rangers held on for a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

The Rangers stayed within a game of the Cleveland Indians for the final wild-card spot after the Indians had a two-run, walk-off homer from pinch hitter Jason Giambi.

Texas is two games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the first wild-card spot after the Rays won in New York against the Yankees 7-0. All three teams have five games left.

Beltre finally homers: Beltre ended his September home run drought in the bottom of the sixth to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. He slugged a 1-2 fastball from Brad Peacock into the left-field seats for his 29th of the season. It was Beltre's first home run in 83 at-bats this month and his first since Aug. 28 against Seattle.

Soto power: Geovany Soto started Tuesday's game, the fourth straight time with Yu Darvish pitching, and the Rangers have benefited from his bat just as much as his work behind the plate. Soto tied the game at one in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single, sneaking a ground ball past Brett Wallace. Soto is batting .393 with two home runs and five RBIs in his past nine games.

Rangers take lead: Craig Gentry had a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth, which gives him nine hits in his past 18 at-bats. He went to second on Leonys Martin's sacrifice bunt and scored on Ian Kinsler's RBI single for a 2-1 lead.

Darvish gets no-decision: Darvish allowed only two runs in 5⅓ innings, but it was another start in which he didn't make it through six innings. That's three times in five starts this month. Darvish also gave up a lead with a home run again, the third time that's happened since the All-Star break. This one came from Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez, who tied the game in the top of the sixth with his 21st home run. He has three long balls against Darvish this season, the only hits he has against him.

Darvish K meter: Darvish had nine strikeouts, giving him a major league-best 269 K's for the season. Darvish struck out the side in the fourth and fifth innings.

Cotts and Scheppers: Manager Ron Washington has been calling upon Tanner Scheppers and Neal Cotts earlier in games and asking them to get an extra out or two, and they have been brilliant. Cotts came on with a runner on in the top of the sixth with the Rangers leading 3-2 and got out of a jam with a runner in scoring position. Scheppers entered in the seventh with a runner at second and one out and got a lineout and a strikeout. Scheppers then got two quick outs in the top of the eighth before a walk and a single forced Washington to go the bullpen again, this time to Jason Frasor.

Frasor gets big out: Frasor, the losing pitcher in Kansas City on Friday night when he loaded the bases and had to watch as Neftali Feliz walked in the go-ahead run, had to keep two runners put on base by Scheppers from scoring. He did it. Frasor got ahead of Astros catcher Carlos Corporan with two fastballs. Then, he threw another one that Corporan popped up to shallow center field for the third out.

Up next: The Rangers go for a three-game sweep of Houston when left-hander Martin Perez (9-5, 3.54 ERA) faces Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel (6-9, 4.99 ERA) at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday night on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and 1540 AM.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Geovany Soto is catching Yu Darvish again Tuesday night.

It's an opportunity for Soto to catch a game.

"Anything else I say, I'm going to lead down a path I don't want to go," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Leave it at that."

Washington doesn't want to get into the discussion of Soto as Darvish's personal catcher because he wants the right to change his mind and use A.J. Pierzynski, his starting catcher, at his discretion.

Soto helped Darvish in his last start on Thursday night at Tampa Bay. There's no debating that.

Darvish struggled with his command and was on the verge of coming out of the game several times -- as early as the third inning -- and he made it through five innings to get a win in the Rangers' 8-2 win over the Rays.

"They work well together," Washington said. "If you don't think they work well together, the other night in Tampa proved it. He got him through it."

Soto works hard and watches video. Darvish, who can be emotional on the mound, seems to take some comfort in having Soto behind the plate.

"I try to be very positive and upbeat," Soto said. "You get on some guys. You have to know pitchers have different personalities, so you have to know what to do with who."

Darvish's numbers with each catcher are almost exactly the same. He has a 2.80 ERA throwing to Pierzynski. He has a 2.81 ERA to Soto.

Darvish was 7-1 to start the season with Pierzynski catching most of his games, so Washington doesn't want to hear about Darvish being better with one particular catcher.

"I think that's excuses," Washington said.

Holland goes over 200: Derek Holland went over 200 innings on Monday night. Darvish needs four outs to make it there.

What does reaching that mark mean?

"It means he went deep [into his starts]," Washington said. "As a starter when you go deep, it means you're giving your team a chance."

They have carried the Rangers' staff from a workload standpoint with injuries to Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis, Alexi Ogando and others.

Short hops: Jeff Baker is expected to be the designated hitter on Wednesday against Houston starting left-hander Dallas Keuchel … Holland's seven shutouts are the third most in the majors since the start of the 2009 season. Former teammate Cliff Lee has 10 shutouts, and his current teammate in Philadelphia, Roy Halladay, has nine.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers will send right-hander Yu Darvish to the mound against Houston right-hander Brad Peacock at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday night on Fox Sports Southwest, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and 1540 AM.

Darvish (13.9, 2.81): Darvish needs four outs Tuesday to reach 200 innings for the first time in his career. ... He ended his career-long four-game losing streak in his last start against Tampa Bay, lasting only five innings in an 8-2 victory over the Rays. ... Darvish matched a career high with six walks. ... Darvish is 1-4 with a 3.40 ERA for his last seven starts. ... He leads the majors with 260 strikeouts. ... Darvish makes his fifth start against the Astros. ... He is 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA. ... Darvish has come within an out of a perfect game and five outs of a no-hitter against Houston this season.

Peacock (5-5, 5.24 ERA): Peacock allowed three earned runs and had five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings in his last start Wednesday against Cincinnati. ... He is 4-2 with a 3.58 ERA for his last 10 appearances, including eight starts. ... He has 51 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings. ... The Astros are 5-8 in his starts. ... He is 1-8 after an Astros' loss. ... Peacock has faced the Rangers once this season, allowing a run in six innings while getting a no-decision.

Hitters: A.J. Pierzynski is 1-for-3 with a home run against Peacock. Marc Krauss is 2-for-6 with two RBIs against Darvish. Matt Dominguez has two home runs in nine at-bats against the Rangers' pitcher.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Derek Holland set the tone for the Rangers' final seven games of the season with a complete game shutout of the Houston Astros on Monday night. And there was Alex Rios' cycle, too.

But as Holland was quick to point out after the 12-0 victory, he's not the first Rangers starting pitcher to throw well in the last week.

Matt Garza. Yu Darvish. Alexi Ogando. Martin Perez. All of them have made an impact in the last week.

"It hasn't been me," Holland said. "Garza, Darvish, Ogando, Perez. We're all clicking together at the same time. We've definitely turned a corner."

At this crucial point in the season, with the Rangers trailing Cleveland by a game for the final wild-card spot in the American League, the rotation has been lights out. Ranger starters are 4-0 with a 1.38 ERA in the last seven games.

If they can keep that up, the Rangers will be back in the postseason, at worst in the wild-card play-in game.

Holland allowed six hits for the seventh shutout of his career. It's the most shutouts by a left-handed pitcher in club history, breaking a tie with Kenny Rogers. Holland is the first Texas pitcher to throw a shutout at Rangers Ballpark since he did it in 2011.

Holland won his 10th game, joining Darvish and Garza in double figures this season. Holland has 22 quality starts, most on the team.

"Being consistent," Holland said. "That's what I needed to be. I've done a good job."

Next up in the rotation is Darvish, who has come within an out of a perfect game and five outs from a no-hitter this season against the Astros.

Time to pass the baton and get another quality start.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- When Alex Rios sent a fastball from Houston pitcher David Martinez sailing into right-center field, he knew exactly what he had to do.

Fly around the bases for a triple.

The Rangers' right fielder, who has long strides and runs like a deer, glided around the bases for that triple, making him the seventh Rangers player to hit for the cycle. Rios got it done in six innings and helped the Rangers cruise to a 12-0 victory over Houston, moving Texas within a game of Cleveland for the second American League wild-card spot.

"It's just a good night," Rios said.

"I knew I had to go," he added, discussing his thought process when he saw the ball shoot up the alley. "It's the best part of Rangers Ballpark to hit the ball if you're looking for a triple."

It was the perfect night for the Rangers, who started a seven-game homestand to end the season with authority. They snapped a seven-game home losing streak.

The Rangers know they might have to win every game from here on out to get one of those wild-card spots. So this was a momentum boost.

"It was huge," shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "As a hitter, you're looking for a game to click. We needed to get the momentum going. We had quality at-bats today and hopefully we carry it over for the week."

Rios and pitcher Derek Holland helped set the tone in Game 1 of this crucial week. Holland had a complete-game shutout, his second of the season and seventh of his career.

Rios started the offense in the right direction in the bottom of the first, clubbing a two-run double for a 2-0 lead, scoring Ian Kinsler and Andrus, who each had singles.

Rios led off the fourth inning with a single and scored on a bases-loaded walk by David Murphy. It was actually the only bad part of the night for Rios, who failed to tag up on a fly ball to center field by Craig Gentry, who batted right before Murphy.

Hitting for the cycle made it easier to forget the baserunning gaffe. But Rios did he say he would happily give up one of his four RBIs to Gentry.

"You still have to think about your teammates, too," Rios said. "It's all good."

Rios belted a home run in his third at-bat in the bottom of the fourth, a long drive to left field for his 18th of the season. That left him a triple shy of the cycle. He took care of that in the bottom of the sixth.

Rios was greeted with a standing ovation when he went out to the field for the top of the seventh.

"I had goose bumps when I was running to right field, so it felt great," Rios said.

He was drenched with a beer and champagne bath after the game.

"It was cold," Rios said. "I couldn't even speak when I was getting drenched. But it was nice."

Rios' cycle came on a night when the Rangers desperately need to get their offense cooking. They scored four runs in three games in Kansas City. The at-bats were much better all-around on Monday night, with Rios the main attraction.

"I see it as a good game at the plate," Rios said. "Having a good approach and having good results."