TORONTO (AP) -- Kenny Rogers felt fortunate to become the first
eight-game winner in the major leagues.
Rogers walked seven, but the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue
Jays 4-2 Sunday to stop a four-game losing streak.
"It was as much of a struggle as I've ever had trying to find
the strike zone," Rogers said. "I was extremely lucky."
Rogers (8-2) won his fourth straight start, allowing an unearned
run and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. The walks were one shy of his
career high.
"I couldn't find the right recipe, mechanically or mentally,"
he said. "Whatever I was doing out there was totally wrong."
Rogers, off to the best start of his major league career, has
won six times following Texas losses. He escaped a pair of
bases-loaded jams, and the Blue Jays tied a season high by
stranding 14.
"It was a magic act for the most part," said Rogers, who
enjoys being the ace of the staff. "Even when you don't have your
best stuff, you know everybody here believes in you. I can't
overstate how much that means to a pitcher."
Francisco Cordero pitched two innings for his 16th save in 16
chances, ending Toronto's five-game winning streak.
Blue Jays slugger Carlos Delgado missed the game with a strained
right ribcage. Without their team leader in RBI, the Blue Jays
went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
"Kenny is a guy that just doesn't give in," Toronto's Vernon
Wells said. "We had a lot of guys on. We just weren't able to
drive them in."
Justin Miller (1-1) allowed three runs and seven hits in five
innings.
Rogers walked three batters in the first, but escaped as Alexis
Rios grounded out. He loaded them again in the fifth by allowing a
single and two walks, but Bobby Estalella hit into an inning-ending
double play.
"We were extremely lucky to win with that many walks," Texas
manager Buck Showalter said.
Texas built a 2-0 lead on Hank Blalock's RBI single in the third
and Rod Barajas' run-scoring single in the fifth. Brad Fullmer
ended a 0-for-21 slump with a homer in the sixth, giving the
Rangers a 3-0 lead.
Texas had gone 20 consecutive at-bats without a hit from its
cleanup hitter until Fullmer homered.
Shortstop Michael Young's fielding error loaded the bases in the
sixth, and reliever Carlos Almanzar walked Frank Menechino, forcing
in Toronto's first run. Wells then struck out, smacking his bat in
frustration.
Eric Hinske hit an RBI single in the seventh as Toronto closed
to 3-2. Blue Jays reliever Valerio De Los Santos threw two wild
pitches before David Dellucci hit a run-scoring grounder in the
seventh.
Game notes
Rogers' parents drove from Florida to see him pitch. ...
Rogers has won four straight against Toronto. ... Fullmer is
4-for-9 in his career against Miller. .. Delgado is day to day.