Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) – C.J. Wilson and Neftali Feliz combined on a three-hitter and Mitch Moreland homered as Texas shut down Baltimore, 2-0, in the second meeting of a four-game set.
Wilson (12-5) allowed three hits over 8 2/3 innings while walking only one and striking out a career-high 12 for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game slide. Feliz came on to record the final out and earn his 30th save.
Josh Hamilton ended a three-game hitless streak with two hits, including an RBI single, and Elvis Andrus added two hits and a run scored for Texas, which halted a five-game losing streak to Baltimore.
Jake Arrieta (4-5) was the hard-luck loser after being charged with two runs — one earned — on eight hits while walking three and striking out three for the Orioles, who have lost three out of four.
Moreland’s solo home run the opposite way just cleared the fence in left field to put the visitors in front with one out in the second inning.
Michael Young drew a two-out walk to put two runners on for Texas in the seventh and that spelled the end of the night for Arrieta, who was replaced by Mark Hendrickson.
Hamilton looped a broken-bat single into right field off the veteran southpaw to score Andrus with a crucial insurance run and bring Alfredo Simon out of the bullpen. Simon set down Vladimir Guerrero to end the inning and worked a scoreless eighth, as well.
Wilson retired 16 in a row before Brian Roberts led off the bottom of the ninth with a double. The converted reliever struck out Julio Lugo and got Felix Pie to ground out before giving way to Feliz, who got pinch-hitter Luke Scott to foul out to end the game.
Game Notes
Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis was tossed for the first time in his career after arguing called second and third strikes while striking out to end the sixth inning and manager Buck Showalter was ejected in the top of the ninth for arguing balls and strikes…Wilson picked up his second career win over the Orioles, both coming at Camden Yards…The Rangers are 19-6 in Wilson’s starts and have won 13 of the last 15…Texas snapped a six-game road losing streak…The Rangers announced that right-hander Rich Harden will come off the disabled list to start Monday’s game against Minnesota…Texas also optioned pitcher Derek Holland to Triple-A Oklahoma City and called up Michael Kirkman to take his place…The Birds lead the season series, 5-3…Baltimore was shut out for the ninth time this season.