MINNEAPOLIS, May 21 (UPI) -- Ian Kinsler finished off a seven-run sixth with a three-run homer Wednesday and Sidney Ponson went the distance in bringing Texas a 10-1 win over Minnesota.
Ponson (3-0), who was a Twin briefly last year, threw his first complete game in three seasons to halt a three-game Rangers losing streak. He gave up six hits with one walk.
Texas broke open a scoreless game with its big sixth inning, but only one of the seven runs in the frame was earned.
The costly error resulted in a loss for Nick Blackburn (4-3), who gave up 10 hits with a walk in six-plus innings.
Michael Young homered to open the sixth and give Texas its only earned run of the inning. Josh Hamilton then walked and Marlon Byrd reached base when second baseman Alexi Casilla booted his ground ball.
After Byrd was forced at second on a grounder by David Murphy, Gerald Laird singled in Hamilton. Murphy was then forced at third on a Brandon Boggs grounder, Chris Shelton singled to load the bases and Ramon Vazquez singled in two runs.
Kinsler followed with a long, three-run homer to left.
