Arlington, Texas ? Texas manager Buck Showalter scoffed at the suggestion that Pedro Astacio was pitching to save his spot in the Rangers’ rotation.

If Astacio pitches more often like he did Wednesday night, such notions won’t even be a concern.

Astacio (2-5) limited Kansas City to two runs and four hits in seven innings, and the Rangers won 7-3 for their fifth straight win – the longest current streak in the majors.

“I know I had a couple of bad games. Those games are in the past, I can’t do anything about it,” Astacio said. “Whatever they say, I pitch. I’m ready when they give me the ball to try to do my job.”

Richard Hidalgo homered for the fourth time in four games. Hank Blalock had a two-run homer and an RBI single while playing his 53rd straight game at third base without an error, matching Buddy Bell’s club record set in 1979.

Zack Greinke (0-6), who hasn’t won in 14 starts since Sept. 9 at Detroit, allowed four runs and six hits over five innings.

“He’s kept us in games. He’s pitched well,” interim manager Bob Schaefer said. “Maybe we’ll get some runs for him some day.”

Added Greinke: “It was one of my better outings. : It’s a little frustrating because I can’t win. I feel like I’ve thrown decent.”

Blalock’s eighth homer, a two-run shot, gave the Rangers a 6-2 lead in the seventh. An inning later, he had his only defensive chance, a routine grounder off the bat of Angel Berroa. He has had 144 total chances since a throwing error against Seattle on Sept. 25.

“Buddy Bell was a great player for the Rangers and it’s an honor to have my name associated with a record like that,” Blalock said.