Rangers 1, Twins 0: Joe Saunders pitched five strong innings in his first outing since April 4 and rookie Luis Sardinas drove in his second career run to pace visiting Texas.

Saunders struck out six while yielding five hits in his second start of the season after returning from the disabled list (left ankle), and Shawn Tolleson (1-1) picked up the win in relief. Three relievers bridged the gap to Joakim Soria, who pitched a perfect ninth to earn his ninth save - one night after his first blown opportunity of the season when his fielding error gave Minnesota a 4-3 victory.

Kyle Gibson yielded six hits and struck out four in six scoreless frames for the Twins, who have lost five of their last six games and were shut out for the third time this season. Jared Burton (1-2) took the loss after yielding a run and two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Leonys Martin (two hits) reached on a bunt single with one out in the eighth and stole second. After Robinson Chirinos struck out, Sardinas delivered a single to left to score Martin.

Each team put runners on second and third in the second but could not score. Chirinos struck out to end the inning after Martin's double, while Eduardo Nunez's two-base hit with one out went for naught when Saunders threw out Josh Willingham at the plate after fielding Eduardo Escobar's grounder.

GAME NOTEBOOK: To make room for Saunders, the Rangers optioned LHP Aaron Poreda to Triple-A Round Rock. ... Texas announced prior to the game that ace Yu Darvish would make his next scheduled start Sunday after he was scratched Tuesday because of a stiff neck. ... Rangers SS Elvis Andrus was ejected by home plate umpire Pat Hoberg in the sixth inning for arguing balls and strikes.