Scott Feldman and three relievers combined on a five-hitter and David Murphy hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh to lead the Texas Rangers to their seventh straight win, 3-0 over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Ian Kinsler and Marlon Byrd had RBI doubles, and the Rangers have their longest streak since winning nine straight from May 20-31, 2005. Texas, which has won 13 of 15 and leads the Angels by 4½ in the division, also moved nine games over .500 (23-14) for the first time since June 1, 2005.
Feldman and Jered Weaver (3-2) were in command until Texas broke through in the seventh when Hank Blalock led off with a double, went to third on Nelson Cruz's single and scored on Murphy's fly to right.
Jason Jennings (1-1) pitched the seventh for the win. Darren O'Day got the final four outs in his first major league save opportunity. Rangers closer Frank Francisco is on the disabled list due to right biceps tendinitis.
Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton probably saved a run in the seventh with a leaping catch of a drive by Howie Kendrick before crashing into the padded wall in right-center. Hamilton fell on the warning track, scrambled to his feet and threw back to the infield to keep Gary Matthews at first.
Hamilton finished the inning but was replaced by Byrd to start the eighth. Hamilton came off the 15-day disabled list earlier this week after missing 13 games with a rib injury sustained when he crashed into the outfield wall in Toronto.
Feldman pitched six innings, allowing four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Feldman was making his fifth start since joining the rotation on April 25 in place of Kris Benson, who went to the disabled list with right elbow tendinitis.
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Weaver allowed three runs and six hits in eight innings with seven strikeouts and three walks.
Los Angeles threatened in the sixth with runners on first and third and two outs, but Feldman got Kendry Morales to pop out and keep the game scoreless.
Weaver worked out of potential trouble in the sixth after walking the first two batters, retiring the next three.
Kinsler and Byrd had RBI doubles in the eighth to make it 3-0.
Sunday's game got off to a calmer start than Saturday's when Angels starter John Lackey was tossed after throwing only two pitches to Kinsler. The first pitch sailed behind Kinsler's head and the next offering struck Kinsler in the ribs. Home plate umpire Bob Davidson immediately ejected the right-hander, who was activated from the disabled list to make the start after missing six weeks due to a forearm strain.
