Rangers beat rays

The visiting Texas Rangers blanked the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 on Thursday to claim a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five American League Division Series.

Home runs by Ian Kinsler and Michael Young backed the two-hit shutout pitching of starter C.J. Wilson and two relievers to put Texas one win away from registering the first postseason triumph in the 50-year existence of the franchise.

Kinsler hit a solo homer in the fourth inning off Rays starter James Shields, and Young gave Texas some breathing room by greeting reliever Chad Qualls with a controversial three-run shot to center during a four-run fifth.