ARLINGTON, Texas -- Scott Baker has found quite a niche with the Texas Rangers, and is winning again after Tommy John surgery. Cheap Pirates Jerseys . Baker went five innings in a spot start to win as a starter for the first time in more than three years, helping Texas beat the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep. "Its still special because of the road that Ive had to endure as far as injuries," said Baker, who earned a win in relief in his previous appearance on Aug. 12. "Its fun, regardless of whether youre a starter or a reliever. And its a good team win." With Yu Darvish still on the disabled list and Miles Mikolas pushed back a day, Baker (2-3) threw 51 of his 71 pitches for strikes in difficult conditions with the temperature near 100 degrees. The only run on his line was Billy Butlers leadoff homer in the fourth. "He certainly went beyond the call of duty to have not been out there in 11 days, and to go out there and throw the strikes the way he threw them," manager Ron Washington said. Adrian Beltre put Texas ahead to stay with an RBI double in the first. Beltre had his fifth straight mulithit game, including all three games against Kansas City to extend his hitting streak against the Royals to 17 games. Baker hadnt pitched since that relief win against Tampa Bay. That was his first victory since a start for Minnesota against Detroit on July 23, 2011, and ended a string of 26 consecutive appearances in losses. "Its never been an issue, having that many days off from pitching, throwing the ball over," he said. "Ive always been able to do that." The 32-year-old right-hander missed all of 2012 after elbow surgery. He made three starts for the Chicago Cubs at the end of last season and has started five of his 22 games since joining the Rangers in June. He had made six relief appearances since his last start July 13. Neftali Feliz worked the ninth for his sixth save in seven chances since reassuming the closer role a month ago after Joakim Soria was traded to Detroit. Kansas Citys Jason Vargas (10-6) allowed 11 hits and walked four in his six innings, but allowed only three runs. The left-hander had walked only one in 25 1-3 innings previously this month. Texas had five doubles off Vargas, including a run-scoring hit for Adam Rosales in the second. Alex Rios had a leadoff double in the third, and scored on a single by Robinson Chirinos. Chirinos started after catcher Geovany Soto was a late scratch. The Rangers announced during the game that Soto was traded to Oakland for cash. GOOD TRIP Kansas City went 6-3 on its road trip, winning two series and splitting a two-game set. The Royals are 39-29 away from home, matching Baltimore for the ALs best road record. "Keep winning series, and were going to be OK," manager Ned Yost said. POP -- GOES THE BASEBALL Baker induced five popups for outs in his first three innings, and one of the hits he gave up was a bloop single. "We mishit some balls," Butler said. "Thats what he thrives on, basically came right at us with fastball, slider. Induced a lot of popups." TRAINERS ROOM Royals: 1B Eric Hosmer missed his 22nd game because of the stress fracture in his right hand after getting hit by a pitch July 20. He is scheduled for another X-ray Monday when the Royals get home, and that could clear him to start swinging a bat again. Rangers: LHP Derek Holland, scratched from his scheduled rehab start Sunday because of a muscle spasm in his back, said he was feeling better. Holland hasnt pitched in the majors since left knee surgery during the off-season. He will throw Monday and is set for another start at Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, the last day of his 30-day rehab window. UP NEXT Royals: Kansas City starts a 10-game homestand on what originally was a scheduled day off Monday. James Shields (12-6) pitches for the Royals against the New York Yankees in the makeup of a game postponed June 9 because of rain. They then have three-game series against Minnesota, Cleveland and Texas. Rangers: Texas plays Monday night at Seattle in the opener of a 10-game trip before the Rangers play 17 of their last 23 games at home. Mikolas (1-5) starts the opener against the Mariners. Wholesale Pirates Jerseys .Gasol had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and the Bulls beat the winless Orlando Magic 98-90 on Tuesday night.Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 21 points and Taj Gibson added 16 for Chicago, which finally pulled away in the final minutes of a game that was tied after three quarters. Pirates Jerseys 2019 .C. - Nick Merkley and Damon Severson each had a goal and two assists as the Kelowna Rockets downed the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3 on Saturday in Western Hockey League playoff action. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ . Villa has already confirmed his short-term deal and the Daily Mirror reported early Tuesday that Lampard will join him as both build up match fitness ahead of moves to the new Major League Soccer franchise New York City.PHOENIX - Some big hits and a risky move that paid off finally brought an end to the San Francisco Giants losing streak. Tyler Colvin drove in three runs, Hunter Pence hit a towering home run and the Giants snapped their season-high six-game skid with a 6-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night. Pences homer into the eating area of the restaurant in the second deck in left field to help Brandon McCarthy become the seasons first 10-game loser. "That ball was one of the longest home runs Ive seen in a long time," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. Ryan Vogelsong (5-3) gave up four runs in five innings but got his first victory in four starts and only the second for the NL West-leading Giants in 11 games "Theres two ways to get out of this thing," Vogelsong said. "Either come out and swing the bats and score a bunch of runs or throw a bunch of zeroes. We know which one happened." Aaron Hill, a .500 career hitter against Vogelsong, singled, doubled and drove two runs for the Diamondbacks. McCarthy (1-10) allowed five runs and 10 hits in five innings. The 10 hits matched a season high. After blowing his previous two opportunities, Sergio Romo escaped trouble in a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 25 tries. With runners at second and third, two outs and Paul Goldschmidt coming to bat, Bochy went to the mound to make sure Romo knew what to do. Hill would be the next batter. The choice was to go after Goldschmidt. "Its a tough call," Bochy said. "Youre going against the book a little bit." Romo gave up a one-out, pinch-hit double to Roger Kieschnick, then Didi Gregorius beat out an infield single. The runners moved to second and third when Gerardo Parra grounded out, bringing up Goldschmidt. The Arizona slugger hit it hard to right, where Pence tracked it down. "He (Goldschmidt) is 4 for 0 and Hilly is 0 for 6 (against Romo)," Arizona manager Kirrk Gibson said. Fake Pirates Jerseys. "I am surprised they didnt pitch around him the whole series. ... They got away with it. " Romos pitch was very hittable. "He might have got away with that pitch, but he got him out," Bochy said, "and thats a big out for us to end this losing streak." Pablo Sandoval singled three times with an RBI and scored a run for San Francisco. Colvin singled in two runs in the first and drove in another with a ground out after Brandon Crawford tripled to lead off the fifth. San Francisco first baseman Michael Morse left the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with back tightness after an awkward swing at the plate. Morse said it was nothing serious. Bochy said hed give him Sunday off and see what happens after that. Pence got the Giants started with a one-out single up the middle in the first. Buster Posey followed with a single, then Sandoval singled Pence home, with Posey taking third when left fielder David Peralta booted the ball. Crawford drew a two-out walk to load the bases, then Colvins two-run double made it 3-0. It was 4-0 after Poseys double and Morses RBI single in the second. Arizona got two in the second on doubles by Hill, Miguel Montero and David Peralta. Arizona got two in the fifth to make it a one-run game before Pences homer provided a two-run cushion. NOTES: The Giants called up top 2B prospect Joe Panik from Triple-A Fresno. He made his major league debut as a pinch hitter in the eighth and walked. ... To make room for Panik, San Francisco optioned OF Juan Perez to Fresno. ... In the finale of the series on Sunday, the Giants send Madison Bumgarner (8-4, 2.85 ERA) to the mound against Arizonas Mike Bolsinger (1-2, 5.70). ... McCarthy has more RBIs (3) than wins (1). ... McCarthys lone victory came on May 3 at San Diego. He also gave up 10 hits, but in seven innings, against the Dodgers on April 11. ... The Giants stranded 10 runners, Arizona eight. ' ' '