ARLINGTON, Texas, June 26 (UPI) -- Hank Blalock's homer off Dan Miceli in the eighth Saturday helped the Texas Rangers to their eighth straight win, 8-7 over the Houston Astros.
Texas blew a 7-3 lead in the seventh, needing four pitchers to get through the frame. But as they have throughout their season-high winning streak, the Rangers found a way to respond.
Miceli (3-3) began his second inning in the eighth and set down the first two hitters before firing a pair of strikes past Blalock. After looking at a ball, Blalock completed his career-high four-hit game by hitting his 18th homer to right-center.
Texas closer Francisco Cordero replaced Carlos Almanzar (6-0) and was greeted by Adam Everett's single. Cordero recovered to get Carlos Beltran to hit into a forceout, strike out Lance Berkman and induce a fly ball from Jeff Kent for his 22nd save in 24 chances.
