Saunders, Rangers Grind Out 1-0 Win Over Twins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Joe Saunders made an impressive return to the Texas rotation and Luis Sardinas drove in the only run of the game to lift the Rangers to a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night.

Saunders gave up five hits and struck out six in five innings after being activated from the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day.

Sardinas had a two-out single off struggling Twins reliever Jared Burton in the seventh inning to help propel the Rangers to their seventh win in the past 10 games.

Kyle Gibson gave up six hits and struck out four in six scoreless innings, but the Twins left nine runners on base and went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Joe Mauer went 0 for 4.

Jays stretch win streak

UNDATED (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays lead the majors in homers, but they can also win by playing small ball.

Pitcher Juan Carlos Oviedo threw away a bunt in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Kevin Pillar to score from second and sending the Blue Jays to their ninth straight win, 3-2 against Tampa Bay. That was the only run for Toronto after Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run single in the first inning. The Rays failed to score following Wil Myers' two-run homer in the second.

The Blue Jays have won a team-record 11 straight games three times in franchise history, most recently last June.

Also in the majors:

— Josh Donaldson launched a walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to lift the A's past Detroit 3-1 in Oakland. Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez carried a two-hit shutout into the ninth before the Athletics improved to an American League-leading 32-21.

— Felix Hernandez is 7-1 after giving up just four hits while striking out nine over 8 2/3 innings of the Mariners' 3-1 triumph over the Angels. Mike Zunino provided Seattle's scoring with a two-run single and a solo homer.

— John Lackey pitched into the seventh inning and Xander Bogaerts had three hits as the Red Sox earned their third straight win since a 10-game skid, 4-0 over Atlanta. Lackey struck out nine and blanked the Braves despite allowing eight hits over 6 1/3 innings.

— Chris Carter homered twice and had four RBIs in the Astros' fifth consecutive win, 9-3 at Kansas City. Rookie George Springer was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, leaving him with a .405 average, six homers and 15 RBIs during his 10-game hitting streak.

— The White Sox completed a three-game sweep by beating Cleveland 3-2 on Moises  Sierra's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Chicago is 5-2 on their 10-game homestand.

— Khris Davis broke open a close game with a three-run homer in the eighth and Ryan Braun had two RBIs in Milwaukee's 8-3 win over Baltimore. Yovani Gallardo allowed four hits in 6 2/3 innings to get the win, one night after supplying a walk-off single.

— Jacoby Ellsbury was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored as the New York Yankees beat St. Louis 7-4 in the rubber match of the three-game set. Hiroki Kuroda improved to 4-3 but labored through 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs and nine hits.

— Miami blew a 4-0 lead before Casey McGehee's RBI single in the 10th snapped a 4-4 tie in an 8-5 win over the Nationals in Washington. McGehee went 4-for-5 and scored twice as the Marlins dealt the Nationals their sixth loss in seven games.

— Philadelphia beat Colorado 6-3 on Ryan Howard's three-run homer with two out in the bottom of the ninth. Howard had four RBIs and Chase Utley singled home the tying run with two out in the ninth.

— Bartolo Colon was a winner in his first start since his 41st birthday, allowing five hits and striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings to lead the New York Mets' 5-0 shutout of Pittsburgh. David Wright and Lucas Duda each homered and had two RBIs to back Colon.

— Tim Lincecum (LIHN'-seh-kuhm) and five relievers combined on a two-hitter as San Francisco blanked the Chicago 5-0 to improve to a major league-best 34-19. Hector Sanchez hit a two-run double in the Giants' sixth victory in seven games and second consecutive shutout.

— Arizona exploded for eight runs in the first inning of a 12-6 pounding of San Diego. Paul Goldschmidt and Martin Prado each hit two-run homers after igniting the first-inning assault with RBI singles.

— Homer Bailey pitched well in Cincinnati's 3-2 triumph at Los Angeles, holding the Dodgers to two runs and five hits in seven innings. Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homer and Todd Frazier was 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Reds.

Darvish on track to pitch Sunday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Texas Rangers plan to start Yu Darvish on Sunday at Washington, making the announcement after he arrived at the ballpark today with his stiff neck feeling better.

Darvish was scratched from his start last night because of a sore neck, but an MRI showed nothing to be concerned about. Darvish is 4-2 in nine starts with a 2.35 ERA.