The day after manager Buck Showalter verbally berated his ball club’s less-than-stellar play of late (an 8-2 loss to the Indians Tuesday extended the Rangers’ losing streak to eight games), Highland Park native Chris Young gave the Texas front office exactly what it has been thirsting for — a solid performance by a homegrown player.

Young improved his record to 10-7 with eight innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits and striking out seven Cleveland hitters in the process.

After starting the season with a 7-4 record, Young had lost three straight decisions since the end of June.

The 6-foot-10-inch Princeton alum received offensive assistance from shortstop Michael Young, who gave the Rangers an early lead with a two-run home run in the first inning.

Designated hitter Phil Nevin, acquired from the San Diego Padres in a trade for Chan Ho Park last month, hit his second homer in a Texas uniform, giving the Rangers a 3-0 advantage and all the run support Young would need.

Before Wednesday’s win, Texas pitching had allowed an average of nearly ten runs per game over the span of eight losses.