Hamilton, Cruz go yard for Express

Birthday boy Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz slugged home runs Saturday as they continued their rehab assignments in the Round Rock Express' 9-4 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

Hamilton's three-run shot off starter Eric Stults (1-3) in the third inning erased the Express' 2-0 deficit.

Two innings later, Cruz took Stults deep for a solo shot, his second long ball in as many games. He played nine innings in right field and went 1-for-4.

Hamilton, again slotted at designated hitter, also walked in four plate appearances.

Both middle-of-the-order mashers could be back with Texas by Monday. Cruz has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 4 due to a strained right quadriceps muscle. Hamilton has been sidelined with a non-displaced hairline fracture of his right humerus.