Story of the Game
The Rangers finished up a very brief homestand by gaining ground in both AL playoff races for a second straight day. After RHP Tommy Hunter rebounded from a rough first inning, the Rangers provided him with six runs over the next five innings. SS Elvis Andrus’ two-run homer in the fifth, which followed a leadoff walk by DH Julio Borbon gave the Rangers their first lead. RF Nelson Cruz then led off the sixth with his 30th home run of the season and the Rangers scratched out another run formed by a pair of walks to LF David Murphy and C Ivan Rodriguez.

The bullpen duo of LHP C.J. Wilson and RHP Frank Francisco allowed one baserunner over two efficient innings to close out the game. Both were pitching for the second consecutive day. Wilson had pitched two-thirds of an inning in Game 2 of Tuesday’s doubleheader win, while Francisco, who got the final two outs Wednesday for his 22nd save, pitched in both ends of the doubleheader.

“Every game has to be won,” Wilson said. “We didn’t get over-worked in the early part of the season, so there is a lot left in our arms.”

The Rangers picked up 2.5 games in the AL West over the final two days of the series and now trail Los Angeles, by 3.5 games. The Rangers picked up 1.5 games on Boston Tuesday and Wednesday and trail in the wild card race by 2.5 games.

Three Up
• RHP Tommy Hunter once again had first-inning trouble, but held Toronto to a pair of runs in the inning and just a pair more over the next six to put himself in position for a win.
• OF Nelson Cruz had hits in each of his first three at-bats, including his 30th homer of the season.
•The bullpen stalwarts, LHP C.J. Wilson and RHP Frank Francisco combined to work the last two innings and allow just one baserunner on a night when the bullpen was short-handed after a doubleheader Tuesday. Francisco picked up three saves in two days.

Three Down
• In his first ever start in the No. 3 spot, 2B Ian Kinsler was hitless in four at-bats to end his seven-game hitting streak. Kinsler had four fly ball outs.
• SS Elvis Andrus made his 17th error of the season. Don’t look now, but the Rangers have been a little sloppy in the field lately. They’ve committed 11 errors in their last 14 games after 70 in their first 119.
• This is a disturbing trend. There have been two days in September and the Rangers have had key players leave games with injuries on both of them. On Wednesday, it was CF Josh Hamilton who left with a stiff back.

Stat o’ the Game
12: Runs allowed by RHP Tommy Hunter in the first inning this season in 13 starts. He has allowed 18 runs in all his other innings (68.1) combined.

Player of the Game
Here are your candidates: RF Nelson Cruz (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs); RHP Frank Francisco (.2 IP, 0 R, 3 saves in two days); RHP Tommy Hunter (7 IP, 4 R); LF David Murphy (1-for-2, 2 Walks), LHP C.J. Wilson (1.1 IP, 2 K, no baserunners). Vote here. (LINK HAS BEEN FIXED, SORRY).

Wednesday’s Player of the Game:1B Chris Davis (75% of vote)

Flying Saucer/Flying Fish Depot Double Dip
Flying Saucer: It’s a winner (Print coupon here)
Flying Fish: Rangers walk four times, so it’s a winner, too! (Print coupon here)

Home Run Pool
No winners.