ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers’ relievers got quick redemption, and Texas won a postseason game at home for the first time in its 50-season history.

Elvis Andrus got the Rangers off to a running start, David Murphy led a parade of extra-base hits and the bullpen that faltered the night before held strong this time as Texas got even in the AL Championship Series with a 7-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 on Saturday.

The Rangers again built an early 5-0 lead – and stayed ahead this time, unlike the series opener when the Yankees had their biggest postseason comeback in the seventh inning or later.

“That’s what they (relievers) have been doing for us all year. That’s how we got to this point,” Manager Ron Washington said.

The best-of-seven series switches to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 on Monday night, when Texas will have ace left-hander Cliff Lee on the mound. Lee has won his last four starts in New York, including a complete game for Philadelphia in last year’s World Series.

Colby Lewis limited New York to two runs over 52⁄3 innings and the bullpen rebounded from the eighth-inning debacle in Game 1 that allowed the defending World Series champion Yankees to escape with a 6-5 victory, even though starter CC Sabathia lasted only four innings.

New York’s postseason winning streak over the Rangers included knocking them out of the playoffs in their three previous postseason appearances (1996, 1998 and 1999).

Andrus led off the first with an infield single on a chopper that deflected off starter Phil Hughes’ glove. Andrus went to second on a wild pitch, then stole third before Josh Hamilton drew a walk.

With Nelson Cruz batting and two outs, Hamilton took off for second base and Andrus ran home when Jorge Posada threw the ball to second. The double steal put Texas up 1-0 before Cruz’s inning-ending strikeout.

Murphy homered off the facade of the second deck of seats in the second for a 2-0 lead, then an inning later he and Bengie Molina had consecutive RBI doubles to make it 5-0.

Texas had lost its first seven home playoff games, the most by any team before finally getting a victory in front of its own fans, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.