Rangers Pick Up 2-1 Win Over Padres

Left-hander Matt Harrison won his fifth straight decision and David Murphy's two-run single in the first inning held up as the Texas Rangers beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 Monday night for their fourth straight victory.

Harrison (9-3) tied CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova of the New York Yankees for the AL lead in victories. Harrison allowed one run and six hits in six innings, struck out four and walked two.

The Rangers won with just five hits.

Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton didn't start but played left field as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. Hamilton was released from a hospital Saturday after becoming dehydrated because of an intestinal virus. Manager Ron Washington said he expects Hamilton to start Tuesday night.

Harrison escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. He allowed consecutive singles opening the inning and a two-out walk before retiring pinch-hitter Yonder Alonso on a grounder. Harrison barehanded the throw from first baseman Michael Young.

Joe Nathan pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 15 chances. He allowed consecutive two-out singles before getting Chase Headley to ground out. Headley had three hits.

San Diego's Jason Marquis (1-2) took the loss despite a terrific outing. Marquis allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, struck out 10 and walked three. It was the first 10-strikeout game by a Padres pitcher this year. He got his 1,000th career strikeout when he fanned Ian Kinsler in the second inning.

Murphy hit a bases-loaded single to center to bring in two runs in the first. Elvis Andrus singled with one out and Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz drew consecutive two-out walks.

San Diego had three straight hits to open the bottom of the first, including Headley's RBI double off the fence in center field. It might have brought in two runs but Chris Denorfia held up between second and third to see if the ball would be caught. The ball sailed over Leonys Martin's head. By then Cameron Maybin had come all the way around second and had to slow down. Denorfia scored and Maybin stopped at third.

Carlos Quentin hit a fly to center that was too shallow to bring in Maybin, who was stranded after Jesus Guzman struck out and Everth Cabrera grounded out.

NOTES: Washington said Hamilton took early batting practice and got in a full workout. ... Seven of Harrison's wins have come on the road. ... It was Marquis' second double-digit strikeout game. He fanned 13 at Milwaukee on Aug. 3, 2001. ... The Padres are 4-19 against lefties. ... The Padres agreed to terms with RHP Zach Eflin of Hagerty (Fla.) H.S., the club's first selection in the compensation round, and 33rd overall. ... The series continues Tuesday night when Texas' Scott Feldman (0-6, 6.50) is scheduled to oppose San Diego's Edinson Volquez (3-6, 3.70).

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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