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Recap: After brief rain delay, Rangers ride Cole Hamels to victory over Kansas City

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Mitch Moreland's second home run of the game broke a tie in the eighth inning and Cole Hamels earned his 12th win of the season as the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Thursday night.

Hamels (12-2) allowed two runs and six hits in eight innings, matching his longest start of the season. His 123 pitches were 10 more than his previous high for the year. He didn't allow an earned run in his previous two starts, totaling 13 1/3 innings.

Sam Dyson earned his 21st save in 23 opportunities, stranding the tying run at third base.

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Rougned Odor also homered for the Rangers.

Both homers by the left-handed hitting Moreland were to the opposite field. It was Moreland's 10th career multi-homer game and second of the season. He has five homers in his last 11 hits.

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Yordano Ventura (6-9) threw the first complete game of his career, pitching eight innings. He allowed only four hits, including the three homers. He is 0-5 in six starts since his last win on June 17.

Hamels' 12 strikeouts equaled his Texas high, set last September vs. Seattle. His career high -- set with Philadelphia -- is 15. The 12 is the most by a Rangers pitcher this season.

Paulo Orlando's second home run of the season, and first since May 17, was pulled well beyond the 14-foot wall in left field and gave Kansas City a 1-0 lead.

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Odor's 465-foot homer into the upper deck in right field in the second inning increased his career-best total to 19 and was the farthest of his career.

Kansas City retook the lead with a run in the fifth when Raul Mondesi's topper to shortstop scored Alex Gordon. Gordon had singled and advanced to third on a blooper to center by Brett Eibner that broke an 0-for-19 streak. Moreland then homered in the bottom of the fifth.

Neither team had a hit with runners in scoring position. Kansas City was 0 for 11 while Texas didn't have an at-bat in that situation.

SHORT HOPS

The game began after a 35-minute rain delay. It was the second rain delay in three days, an unusual summer occurrence in Arlington. ... The first son of Royals 3B Cheslor Cuthbert was born on Thursday morning in Venezuela.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar was placed on the 15-day disabled list with symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.

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Rangers: LHP Derek Holland (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session on Friday. One of the scheduled hitters is RF Shin Soo-Choo (hamstring strain).

UP NEXT

Friday night's game will be a pitching rematch of Sunday afternoon's 2-1 Texas win at Kauffman Stadium in which each starter allowed one run and got a no-decision. Royals RHP Edinson Volquez (8-8) allowed seven hits in six innings, Rangers RHP A.J. Griffin (3-1) four hits in five innings.