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Young, rookie Boggs lift Rangers over Braves 5-4

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[June 20, 2008]  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Michael Young broke out of a deep slump with a game-ending RBI single, rookie Brandon Boggs hit a three-run homer and the Texas Rangers rallied twice for a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

Auto RepairWith the score 4-all, Ian Kinsler led off the ninth with a double off Blaine Boyer (1-5). Chris Shelton popped out on a bunt attempt before Young lined a single to right off Jeff Bennett. Kinsler scored without a throw to the plate, and Young, 1-for-31 heading into the ninth, was mobbed on the field by his teammates.

Atlanta's Chipper Jones went 0-for-4 as his major league-leading batting average fell below .400 for the first time since April 12. He's hitting .394.

Rangers starter Scott Feldman gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings, but Texas closer C.J. Wilson faltered for the second straight game.

Wilson was the losing pitcher in Atlanta's 5-2 victory on Wednesday night when his two-base throwing error led to three ninth-inning runs, and on Thursday Wilson allowed two runs and two hits while getting just one out.

Misc

Wilson walked Mark Teixeira to lead off the ninth, and after striking out Kelly Johnson, gave up a double to Greg Norton. Jeff Francoeur followed with an infield single to drive in Teixeira. Manager Ron Washington brought in Jamey Wright, who gave up a sacrifice fly to pinch-hitter Omar Infante to tie it at 4.

Wright (4-2) got two outs for the decision.

Pharmacy

Atlanta took a 2-1 lead into the sixth before starter Charlie Morton ran into trouble in his second big-league start, allowing a bunt single to David Murphy and a walk to Marlon Byrd. Braves manager Bobby Cox brought in Jeff Ridgway from the bullpen. Boggs, an Atlanta-area resident and Georgia Tech product, pulled an 0-2 pitch into the left-field seats for his third homer.

Morton allowed three runs and five hits in five-plus innings, striking out three and walking four.

The Rangers had lost four of their last six before Thursday's victory that moved them back to .500 (37-37) and improved their record to 8-15 in day games this season.

The Braves return to Atlanta for a six-game homestand after a 4-6 road trip. They opened the trip with a 7-21 road record, then were swept by the Chicago Cubs in three games.

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Nursing Homes

But Atlanta took two of three from the Los Angeles Angels, then won a makeup game at Colorado before dropping two of three in Texas.

The Braves were trying to capture back-to-back road series for the first time this season.

For the second straight game, Texas was without top hitter Milton Bradley, shelved by a strained left quadriceps. Washington said before the game he was "hopeful" Bradley and his .330 average would be back in the lineup for a weekend road series against the Washington Nationals.

Notes: Atlanta stole two bases, giving Texas opponents 23 in a row when Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the catcher. ... About 12 hours after Wednesday night's loss, Wilson arrived in the Texas clubhouse with his longish hair cut down into a Mohawk. "I had the excuse to do it," Wilson said. "It's also a good time to do it, with the 100-degree weather. It's not the time to have long, glorious locks." ...Texas 1B Hank Blalock is set to begin a three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma over the weekend. Blalock is recovering from wrist surgery and he's also making the transition from 3B. ...Cox gave regular C Brian McCann the day off, starting Miller. ...Atlanta's Gregor Blanco had a 15-pitch at-bat against Eddie Guardado in the eighth before being called out on strikes.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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