It only took about two hours and 20 minutes but the Rangers remembered how to win a baseball game to put an end to the four-game losing streak that bookended the All-Star break.
Cole Hamels was coming off consecutive disastrous starts before the break but seemed revitalized after getting to pitch in his hometown at the Mid-Summer Classic.
Hamels went eight innings on 91 pitches and allowed just an unearned run on just four hits and zero walks. The Rangers' lefty ace struck out seven and, hey, also got a hit because National League baseball.
The bats swept the sleep from their eyes as Elvis Andrus drove in a run, Robinson Chirinos doubled and drove in two runs, and Ian Desmond hit his 16th dinger of the year as Texas proved that yes, it is possible to hit a home run at Wrigley Field. All the runs came off John Lackey to make the win a smidge more satisfying.
Sam Dyson struck out the side in the 9th for the save as Texas won its 55th game of the season and their first of what we hope is more to come from Chicago's North Side as the ivy starts to brown this autumn.
Player of the Game: Hamels tossed perhaps the best game by starter for the Rangers since Colby Lewis' near perfecto. To say it was much needed would be an understatement. As you might have expected, he was also very handsome while dealing against Chicago today.
Up Next: The Rangers open up a series against the Angels as they look to pad their division lead against the cellar dwellers of the West. A.J. Griffin will make the start for Texas against RHP Nick Tropeano of Anaheim. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 pm CT.