Colby Lewis ends losing streak, leads Rangers to 4-2 win over Toronto
It might have taken almost two months, but Colby Lewis finally won another game.
The starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers led the team to a 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday night for the team’s second win in a row and his first since beating the Boston Red Sox back in mid-July.
Lewis lasted one out into the seventh inning holding the Blue Jays to just five hits and two walks while striking out eight. The only earned run he gave up was due to a home run he gave up to Lyle Overbay in the seventh inning.
“The day belonged to Colby Lewis,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He stayed off the fat part of the bat, he made some good pitches when he had to. He just did an outstanding job.”
Nelson Cruz started the scoring on the day with a single in the top of the fourth that scored Dave Murphy. Mitch Moreland added another run with a sacrifice fly that allowed Vladimir Guerrero to score giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Moreland stretched the lead out to 4-0 with a double in the sixth inning that scored both Guerrero and Cruz.
Over his nine-game winless streak Lewis had only received 17 total runs in support. The win is No. 10 on the season for Lewis, matching a career high.
“It’s definitely gratifying to get to double digits,” said Lewis, who also won 10 games in 2003.
Three relievers combined to get the final eight outs of the game; the only hit they gave up was a home run to Jose Bautista in the eighth inning. Neftali Feliz pitched a scoreless ninth inning for save No. 35 on the season.
The Rangers were without the services of Josh Hamilton for the fifth straight game. Hamilton is still recovering from bruised ribs which he suffered making a catch in last Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. A timetable for his return has yet to be established.
With the win the Rangers improved their record to 77-63 on the season and cut their magic number down to 16.
Texas heads back home to start a five-game, six-day home stand starting with a weekend series with the New York Yankees. C.J. Wilson will take the mound for the Rangers Friday with Javier Vazquez set to do so for the Yankees.
The Yankees lead the season series between the two teams, 4-1.
Tags: