By Jack Ryan
Ryan Rua hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth and the Texas Rangers stretched their winning streak to nine games with an 8-4 victory over the Phillies.
The Rangers swept through an eight-game home stand against three teams, only their second time in franchise history to do that. Their overall winning streak, which started with an 11-0 win at San Diego on May 9, is the longest in the majors this season.
The Rangers have their longest winning streak since 12 in a row in July 2011. The only time they have won more was their team-record 14 straight in May 1991, and their only other eight-game undefeated home stand was in May 2005.
The Phillies led 2-0 before Robinson Chirinos and Rougned Odor had consecutive two-out RBI singles off reliever Joely Rodriguez (1-2) in the fifth. Rua followed with his third homer, lining a shot that just cleared the 8-foot wall in right field.
Martin Perez (2-5) struck out eight with no walks in seven innings. The Rangers had scored two or fewer runs for the lefty in his previous six starts.
Maikel Franco’s solo homer in the fifth put the Phillies up 2-0, after his earlier sacrifice fly that followed Michael Saunders’ triple . Tommy Joseph hit a two-run homer in the ninth in Philly’s 15th loss in 18 games.
“We need to step it up. We’re better than what we’re going through right now,” manager Pete Mackanin said. “I can’t make excuses. We just got to hit better and pitch better.”
