(Sports Network) – Ian Kinsler drove in three runs, propelling Texas past Florida, 6-4, for a three-game sweep of the interleague series at Sun Life Stadium.
Alexi Oganda (2-0) pitched well in relief, hurling 2 1/3 hitless frames with four strikeouts and three walks. Dustin Nippert started the game and gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts over three frames.
Vladimir Guerrero hit a solo home run for the red-hot Rangers, who have rattled off five straight victories. Josh Hamilton extended his hitting streak to 13 games in the process.
Ricky Nolasco (5-6) was the hard-luck loser, giving up four runs — just two earned — on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk over six innings. Ronny Paulino drove home two runs for the Marlins, losers in four of five. Cody Ross finished 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in defeat.
The Marlins got something going quickly in the second frame, starting with back-to-back singles from Dan Uggla and Ross. One out later, Paulino slammed a double to left, driving home both base runners for a 2-0 edge. Nolasco then helped himself with a single, and Chris Coghlan's force out plated Paulino with the third run.
Guerrero's solo shot to left made it 3-1 in the fourth. Texas continued the momentum into the fifth as Julio Borbon walked, Ogando singled, and Nolasco's error on a comeback shot off the bat of Elvis Andrus allowed Borbon to score and runners to reach second and third. Kinsler's 10th double of the season knocked home both runners for a 4-3 game. After Nolasco exited, Texas added some insurance in the seventh. David Murphy doubled in front of Andrus' single, and Michael Young swatted an RBI single to left. Kinsler followed with a sacrifice fly for a 6-3 game. Florida got back into the game in the eighth thanks to Dan Uggla's one-out single and Ross' run-scoring double. Ross was left at third on Paulino's groundout to end the frame.