Andrus helps Texas sweep past Detroit

Rangers remain in contention for wild-card spot.

Elvis Andrus and the Texas Rangers are doing what they have to do if they want to make a push in the crowded AL wild-card race.

Andrus had the go-ahead homer among his four RBIs, Cole Hamels won again despite a shaky outing, and the Rang- ers completed a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers with a 12-6 victory Wednesday night.

“I think everybody’s doing their job, we’re having really good at-bats, nobody’s taking anything for granted,” Andrus said. “That’s our DNA that we need to keep the rest of the season, and hopefully the beginning of something good.”

Andrus snapped a 4-all tie when he led off the fifth with his 16th homer, a liner that just cleared the 8-foot wall in center off reliever Chad Bell (0-1), the second of eight Tigers pitchers. Andrus added a two-run single an inning later when the Rangers scored four more times.

Ian Kinsler led off the game with a homer for Detroit, then after taking his position at second base in the bottom of the first received an on-field handshake from Angel Hernandez, the longtime umpire who he said should get another job.

“Angel just shook my hand,” Kinsler said, without elaborating, when asked about how the conversation between the two of them and who initiated the handshake.

Asked if was surprised about what happened, Kinsler responded, “No.”

A day after Kinsler’s harsh and extended criticism, Hernandez was working second base for the series finale. Kinsler was ejected from the opener Monday when questioning balls and strikes during the middle of an at-bat while Hernandez worked behind the plate, and the second baseman lashed out the following day.

r sweeping the Tigers, who have lost 10 of their past 12 games, the Rangers stay home for four games against the Chicago White Sox, who have the AL’s worst record. Texas is just two games out of the American League’s sec- ond wild card, though there are three other teams between them and that spot.