Rangers 10, Twins 4: Josh Hamilton drove in five runs and Mitch Moreland delivered a go-ahead double in a six-run eighth-inning outburst as host Texas won the opener of a four-game series.

Hamilton had a two-run double in the first, a two-run single in the eighth and also hit a sacrifice fly for the Rangers, who increased their American League West lead to six games over the Oakland Athletics.

Adrian Beltre doubled with one out in the eighth and Nelson Cruz reached on an error before Moreland stroked the tiebreaking double off Jared Burton (1-1). Moreland entered the game as a replacement for Michael Young, who left to be with his wife for the birth of their child.

The Rangers added three more runs on Minnesota’s second error of the inning, a bases-loaded walk to Ian Kinsler and an infield single by Elvis Andrus prior to Hamilton’s single that increased the Texas lead to six.

Mike Adams (3-3) pitched a scoreless eighth for the Rangers. Minnesota scored twice in the ninth before Joe Nathan was called on to get the final out for his 25th save in 26 opportunities.

Twins starter Brian Diamond and manager Ron Gardenhire were ejected in the third inning after Diamond threw a pitch over the head of Hamilton. Minnesota star Joe Mauer had been plunked in the upper back on a 3-0 pitch by Texas starter Roy Oswalt in the top of the inning.

Mauer had a run-scoring double in the opening inning.

Texas scored fifth-inning runs on Hamilton’s sacrifice fly and Beltre’s solo shot over the left-center field wall to take a 4-2 lead, but Minnesota responded with two runs in the sixth – one scoring on Pedro Florimon’s infield out and the other on Denard Span’s single to right.

Oswalt was charged with four runs (three earned) and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. Diamond allowed two runs and three hits in 2 1/3 innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rangers manager Ron Washington won his 500th career game. ... Beltre has four homers in two games after hitting just one in his previous 29 contests. … Span (shoulder) went 2-for-5 after missing the previous nine games. … Oswalt was starting in place of Yu Darvish (quadriceps). … The ejection was Gardenhire’s third of the season and 62nd of his career. Bench coach Scott Ullger took over as manager.