Miami, FL (Sports Network) – Michael Young’s two-run single in the top of the eighth inning made him the all-time hit leader in the history of the Washington/Texas franchise, as the Rangers defeated the Florida Marlins, 6-3, in the second test of a three-game series at Sun Life Stadium.
Young came into the game needing just one hit to tie Ivan Rodriguez (1,747). That feat was accomplished with a leadoff double in the seventh. Then, in the eighth with the bases loaded, Young laced a base hit up the middle to make history.
Julio Borbon and Josh Hamilton each hit a solo homer for the Rangers, who won 3-2 in the series opener and have won four straight overall. Hamilton had four hits in the game, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.
Starter Tommy Hunter gave up one run on zero hits before exiting the game after 2 1/3 innings with a strained right hip flexor muscle. Darren O’Day (3-2) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. Neftali Feliz recorded his 17th save of the season.
Chris Coghlan drove in a run and scored a run for the Marlins, who have dropped three of four. Hanley Ramirez also knocked in a run in defeat.
Anibal Sanchez (6-4) gave up three runs — one earned — on eight hits in a six-inning start to take the loss.
The Rangers scored a run in each of the first three innings to grab an early lead. Ian Kinsler got things going in the first with a two-out single. Hamilton followed with a base hit to put men on the corners for David Murphy, who hit an RBI single.
Borbon’s first homer of the season in the second put Texas ahead 2-0. In the top of the third, Kinsler walked and Hamilton singled to put men on first and second with one out. Murphy then reached first on first baseman Gaby Sanchez’s error, which allowed Kinsler to score for a three-run margin.
Florida got on the board in the home third. Anibal Sanchez worked a one-out walk, which led to Matt Harrison replacing an injured Hunter. Coghlan walked and Gaby Sanchez singled to load the bases for Ramirez, who knocked in a run with an RBI groundout.
The Marlins plated another run in the fifth to cut the gap to 3-2. Ronny Paulino singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on Coghlan’s double.
Texas added two runs in the top of the eighth to build a 5-2 lead. Jay Buente walked two batters and gave up a single to another to load the bases with two outs. Young then recorded his record-setting hit.
Florida got a run back in the bottom half of the frame. Frank Francisco walked Coghlan and gave up a single to Gaby Sanchez. Ramirez then grounded into a double play, but a run crossed the plate on the play.
Hamilton’s homer to center in the ninth accounted for the final margin.