Rangers blanked by Minnesota

 Glen Perkins pitched six shutout innings against a powerful Texas lineup in the Minnesota Twin’s 6-0 victory on Friday night, the first time the Rangers have been shut out all season.
Perkins (7-2) allowed just three hits to a Rangers team that entered the game leading the majors in most offensive categories, including batting average, runs, hits, slugging percentage and total bases.
It was the first time Texas has been shut out since Aug. 19 of last season, when former Twins ace Johan Santana fanned 17 Rangers at the Metrodome.
Ian Kinsler’s 25-game hit streak came to an end with an 0-for-4 night, Josh Hamilton went 0-for-4 after wowing the baseball world with 28 homers in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday night and Hank Blalock was 0-for-2 with a walk in his first game since April 25.
Delmon Young tied a career high by going 4-for-4 with an RBI, even though only one of those hits got out of the infield on the fly.
That’s how these small-ball Twins operate. They are last in the AL in home runs, but first in the majors in hitting with runners in scoring position.
Minnesota broke the game open in trademark fashion with four runs on five singles in the seventh inning to chase Kevin Millwood (6-6).
Jason Kubel and Brian Buscher each had two hits and two RBIs for the Twins, who got shutout innings in relief from Craig Breslow, Jesse Crain and Boof Bonser.
Perkins, the rookie left-hander, hasn’t lost a decision since May 30 against the Yankees and is one of the big reasons why Francisco Liriano remains stuck in Triple-A Rochester.
Liriano’s agent has asked the union to investigate why his client has not been called up yet despite dominating hitters for the past six weeks. But with Perkins and fellow young starters Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn pitching so well, the Twins are having trouble finding a spot for him in the rotation.
The Rangers would love to have that problem. Their bullpen leads the major leagues in innings pitched, averaging nearly four per game over the last 24 outings.
Reds 5, Mets 2
CINCINNATI (AP) — Bronson Arroyo allowed four hits over eight innings Friday night, and Cincinnati snapped New York’s 10-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory.
The Mets’ run ended one win shy of the franchise record.
The Reds scored four times in the fifth off John Maine (8-7) despite getting only two balls out of the infield. Ken Griffey Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk, Brandon Phillips lofted a two-run single into shallow right field, and Edwin Encarnacion got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Jay Bruce hit a solo homer off Maine, who has failed to last five innings in three of his last four starts.
Arroyo (8-7) has won his last four starts.
Francisco Cordero, who blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning Thursday night, gave up a walk in the ninth before finishing it off for his 20th save.
Phillies 4, Marlins 2
MIAMI (AP) — Jamie Moyer beat Florida for the 10th time in as many career starts, allowing two runs and four hits in six innings.
All of the 45-year-old Moyer’s games against the Marlins have come in the past three years. He defeated them for the third time since June 1, and his ERA in five lifetime starts in Miami is 1.34.
Ryan Howard hit his 29th homer, most in the majors, and Geoff Jenkins added his eighth homer and singled home a run for the Phils, who took over sole possession of first place in NL East with the Mets’ loss.
Ricky Nolasco (10-5) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs, including both homers.
Moyer (9-6) and three relievers combined on a five-hitter with Brad Lidge working a perfect ninth for his 21st save in as many chances.
Braves 7, Nationals 6
ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann’s three-run double gave Atlanta the lead in the third inning, and the Braves survived a ninth-inning rally.
Tim Hudson (10-7) gave up nine hits and five runs in 6 2-3 innings, but he improved to 8-1 in 12 career starts against Washington.
The Nationals, trailing 7-5, scored a run in the ninth against Mike Gonzalez. Pinch-hitter Felipe Lopez hit a one-out single and moved to third on a double by Willie Harris. Lopez scored on Paul Lo Duca’s grounder to second, sending Harris to third.
Gonzalez hit Cristian Guzman with a pitch but earned his fourth save when Austin Kearns flied out.
Brent Lillibridge gave the Braves a 2-0 lead in the second with a two-run double.
Tim Redding (7-4) gave up six runs and six hits in four innings, matching his shortest start of the season.