Cruz homers, Hamilton doubles in PCL

The Texas Rangers are awaiting the effect that Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz will have in the win column.

So are the Round Rock Express.

Cruz went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and Hamilton doubled Friday night, but the rehabbing sluggers couldn't make up the difference in the Express' 5-4 loss to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

A less likely hero, Colorado Springs catcher Jordan Pacheco, delivered a go-ahead RBI single against reliever Pedro Strop (2-2) in the top of the ninth inning. Jim Miller pitched a 1-2-3 bottom half for his second save.

With one swing, Pacheco snapped Colorado Springs' five-game losing streak and Round Rock's five-game winning streak.

Both Cruz and Hamilton began their rehab assignments with the Rangers' Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders. Cruz was 2-for-11 in the Texas League before connecting off Sky Sox starter Alan Johnson for a two-run blast in the first.

Cruz, who played right field for the Express, was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 4, due to a strained right quadriceps muscle.

Hamilton, on the DL with a non-displaced hairline fracture of his right humerus, went 3-for-7 with a homer at Frisco. As Round Rock's designated hitter, the reigning American League MVP doubled and scored ahead of Cruz's dinger. It was his only hit in four at-bats.

Both Cruz and Hamilton will remain with Round Rock through the weekend.