The Rays beat the Rangers in the rubber match of the early afternoon game. The top of the 9th was a nail-biter for Rangers fans.
This series was disappointing to me. Even though virtually no one, including myself, expects the Rangers to make the post-season. A part of me wants them to prove me wrong. So far, they haven’t.
How it happened
Shin-Soo Choo homered (5) in the top of the 3rd. Choo has provided some power in the early part of the season. He is 2nd on the team. Gallo leads the team with 6.
The Rays scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th. Cole Hamels had pitched a decent game up to this point.
Johnny Field singled.
Denard Span lined out.
Daniel Robertson then doubled, Field scored, Robertson went to 3rd on the throw.
Carlos Gomez was hit by a pitch.
CJCron singled, Robertson scored Gomez to 3rd
Adeiny Hechavarria hit a sac fly that scored Gomez.
Jesus Sucre struck out.
The Rays held onto that lead the rest of the game.
Top of the 9th
The Rangers tried to rally but it was a little too late. They have struggled this season with Runners in scoring position ( RISP).
Drew Robinson singled and that scored Adrian Beltre who walked to begin the inning.
Other game notes:
There was fan interference on a home run ball by new Ranger, Renato Nunez. I saw the replay and I think it was a home run. It was ruled a double. Doesn’t surprise me, it seems the Rangers don’t get alot of favorable calls when the officials in New York make the calls. No one was on base at the time so it would have been a solo shot. I do not think that alone cost the Rangers the game.
Hamels pitched 6.1 innings. He allowed 7 hits, 4 runs and struck out 4. He is now 1-3 with a 4.76 earned run average.
The Rangers offense had 2 runs on 6 hits.
There was 1 fielding error by Nunez.
This series was disappointing to me. We have to win series like this to even try to stay in the Wild Card race. I’m not panicking at all though, there is still plenty of baseball to be played.
