David Murphy hit a game-winning RBI single with one out in the 10th inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 5-4 Wednesday night, taking advantage of two throwing errros by Ivan Rodriguez on the day he set the major league record for games caught.
Rodriguez, who began his career at age 19 in 1991 and played 12 seasons in Texas, caught his 2,227th game to break Carlton Fisk's record.
Rodriguez received numerous ovations from the Rangers crowd, and had his first two-error game since Aug. 26, 2004 and sixth overall in his career. Both miscues led to runs.
Ian Kinsler reached on an error, Houston's third of the game, by third baseman Jeff Keppinger leading off the 10th. Kinsler stole second and Michael Young singled off Jeff Fulchino (2-2) to put runners on first and third.
Hank Blalock was intentionally walked to load the bases and Nelson Cruz popped up to shallow center. Murphy then sliced a single down the left-field line for the game-winner.
C.J. Wilson (4-3) pitched two scoreless innings for the Rangers.
Rodriguez's errant throw in the first trying to nail Kinsler stealing third sailed 15 feet over Keppinger's head.
Omar Vizquel tied Luis Aparicio's for most hits by a player from Venezuela with his 2,677th, a one-out single in the fifth. He then stole second and advanced to third on Rodriguez's second error, and scored on Kinsler's sacrifice fly that gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead.
Matt Harrison, activated from the disabled list before the game, gave up three runs and six hits in five innings for Texas.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Cruz homered for the Rangers, who lead the AL West by two games over the Los Angeles Angels.
Astros starter Russ Ortiz allowed four runs and seven hits in his longest outing of the season.
Houston's Hunter Pence had four hits and homered in the eighth to tie the game at 4, and Carlos Lee homered in the fourth.
The Rangers have outscored the Astros 28-13 in winning all five games against their in-state rival. Neither team has swept the season series since the teams started playing in 2001.
In the bottom of the first, Kinsler doubled to left on a fly ball that Jason Michaels lost in the sun. Kinsler stole third and Rodriguez's wild throw landed in left field, allowing Kinsler to tie the score at 1.
The Rangers recognized Rodriguez's accomplishments with a video tribute that started by showing Fisk, Bob Boone and Gary Carter, the only catchers other than Rodriguez to catch more than 2,000 games. Then it showed Rodriguez as a youngster with Ryan, throwing out at a runner and his introduction during the 1995 All-Star game at Rangers Ballpark.
NOTES: Rangers manager Ron Washington said he expects RHP Frank Francisco will only need one minor-league rehab stint before Francisco is ready to be activated from the 15-day DL. Francisco has been out since June 14 with right shoulder tendinitis. ... Ortiz's scoring innings streak ended at 17 2-3.
