ARLINGTON, Texas -- Scott Baker has found quite a niche with the Texas Rangers, and is winning again after Tommy John surgery. Soccer Jerseys Outlet . 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 Soccer Jerseys . -- C.J. Wilson parked his car and laughed while signing autographs for faceless fans who handed bats, balls and cards to the pitcher from the other side of a brick wall. Discount Soccer Jerseys . Tyutin has missed the last nine games with an ankle injury which occurred while playing for Russia at the Olympics. The top-two defenceman has four goals and 20 assists, 30 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating in 53 games with Columbus this season. http://www.cheapsoccerjerseys.co/ . The 25-year-old Lu, a regular on the Japan LPGA Tour after giving up her LPGA Tour membership in 2010, shot an 8-under 64 in windy, wet conditions at Kintetsu Kashikojima.Portland, OR (SportsNetwork.com) - LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 points and 14 rebounds while Damian Lillard gave 23 points, 10 boards and six assists to lead the Portland Trail Blazers in a 108-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Wesley Matthews scored 14 points while Chris Kaman added 11 for the Trail Blazers, who have won two straight and seven of nine. Kawhi Leonard had 21 points and nine rebounds while Aron Baynes and Kyle Anderson each gave 15 points for the Spurs, who have dropped two of their last three. San Antonio rested Tim Duncan for the game, while Manu Ginobili (lower back contusion), Tony Parker (strained left hamstring) and Tiago Splitter (calf) all sat out with injuries. Portland entered the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead and led by 12 after Lillard hit a 3-pointer for an 89-77 advantage with 8 1/2 minutes to play. Leonards jumper with just under five minutes to play cut the Spurs deficit to 94-88, but Nicolas Batum countered with a 3-pointer. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Store. After Cory Joseph put in a layup, Aldridge hit two free throws and Thomas Robinson followed with a bucket and two free throws for a 13-point lead with 2 1/2 minutes to play. A Will Barton 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Trail Blazers a 23-20 lead after 12 minutes of play, and the team held the lead throughout the second quarter and eventually took a 48-43 advantage into the break. The Spurs were able to keep it close throughout the third quarter, but were never able to go on top as Portland held a 76-68 lead after three quarters of play. Game Notes San Antonio hosts Memphis on Wednesday ... Portland welcomes Milwaukee on Wednesday ... Portland edged San Antonio on the glass, 46-42, but shot just 46.1 percent compared to San Antonios 48.7 percent. However, Portland did go 19-for-22 from the line while San Antonio made just 15 of its 22 free throw attempts. ' ' '