CJ Wilson allows 2 hits in 7 2-3 innings, strikes out 6 to lead Rangers to 3-0 win over Royals

Wilson shuts down Royals to lead Texas to 3-0 win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — C.J. Wilson allowed two hits over 7 2-3 innings to lead the Texas Rangers to a 3-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

Wilson (14-5) improved to 7-0 in nine starts since the All-Star break. It is the most victories in the majors in that span, one ahead of Minnesota’s Francisco Liriano (6-0).

Wilson allowed only a scratch hit to Willie Bloomquist until the eighth inning, when Jai Miller singled to center. The left-hander, who had a complete-game win over the Royals in May, struck out six and walked four.

Neftali Feliz worked the ninth for his 33rd save in 36 opportunities, giving Texas its third win in its last 10 road games in the opener of a 10-game trip.

Kyle Davies (6-9) went 8 1-3 innings, allowing three runs — two earned — on ten hits with six strikeouts and a walk.

The Rangers got the only run they would need in the second. Following a leadoff double by Nelson Cruz in his first at-bat after coming off the disabled list, Davies got David Murphy on a fly to right before Bengie Molina hit a run-scoring single.

Texas added to its lead in the fifth on a triple by former Royals player Andres Blanco, who went 3 for 4. Elvin Andrus added a run-scoring single and Michael Young delivered a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Wilson issued a couple of walks in the sixth, but got Jason Kendall on a double-play bouncer that ended the threat.

Notes: The Rangers confirmed that LHP Derek Holland will take over the No. 5 spot in the rotation, with Rich Harden moving to the bullpen. Holland will start in Minnesota on Friday. … Rangers manager Ron Washington originally had Josh Hamilton in center field on Monday, but then shuffled his lineup, with Hamilton serving as the designated hitter. Due to a wearisome schedule in recent weeks, Washington wanted to get Hamilton off his feet. Normal DH Vladimir Guerrero started in right field.