Comebacks fuel 6-game win streak

Elvis Andrus and the Rangers are starting to make quite a comeback.

Their six-game winning streak is the longest in the major leagues, and they took the lead in the seventh inning or later in each of the last five games, a run that included game-ending homers on consecutive nights against different teams that capped, four-run ninth innings.

“This past week has been amazing,” said Andrus, at nine seasons the team’s longest-tenured player. “We know that we didn't start the season the way we wanted, but there’s plenty of season ahead, and I think we’re trying to find that consistency as a team.”

Those five late rallies, all since getting home a week ago after an 11-0 win at San Diego, have gotten the Rangers within a game of reaching .500 for the first time this season after winning the AL West title each of the last two years.

“We know we’re good, but sometimes teams get in ruts,” first baseman Mike Napoli said. “I knew once we got a little momentum, things started going right, things would iron out. We’re just starting to play really good baseball, and just build off of it on a daily basis.”

The Rangers (19-20) had a day off Monday after playing 17 straight days and 33 of 34 since an off day at the end of the opening week.

The Rangers open a threegame interleague series at home Tuesday night against the Phillies.

“You need streaks to get back to where you need to be,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “For me, it’s winning series. That’s probably a more important portion of it, because that keeps you on the positive side in everything.”