Michael Young drove in the winning run, plating Andres Blanco with an infield single in the seventh inning, lifting Texas over Minnesota, 4-3, in a battle of division leaders.
Josh Hamilton belted his 29th homer of the year for the AL West-leading Rangers, who won their third in a row.
One night after a near combined-no hitter, the Rangers used four pitchers to edge the AL Central-leading Twins. Colby Lewis allowed seven hits and three runs over 6 1/3 frames. Darren Oliver (1-1) threw 1 1/3 innings and escaped a jam in the top of the seventh to get the victory. Darren O’Day recorded the final out in the eighth inning and Neftali Feliz pitched the ninth for his 32nd save.
Michael Cuddyer stroked a two-run double in the first inning for Minnesota, which has lost back-to-back games for the first time since August 2-3 at Tampa Bay.
Carl Pavano (15-9) threw his sixth complete game of the season and 13th of his career after allowing eight hits and fanning five batters.
There was a bit of trepidation in the ninth inning. Delmon Young flied out to deep right field leading off. Danny Valencia then hit a ball to right-center field, which was tracked down by a leaping Julio Borbon near the fence. Pinch- hitter Jim Thome was hit by a pitch, but Matt Tolbert fanned in another pinch- hitting role to end the game.