Phenomenal pitching helps Texas Rangers clinch 3-2 series-opener over Detroit Tigers – MLB Playoffs
An under pressure competition between Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Saturday, October 8 went the Rangers way 3-2 due to some brilliant pitching performance in the latter half of the game.
Rangers now lead the five game series 1-0.
C. J. Wilson, the Rangers’ gritty starter, restricted the Tigers to no-score in his first four innings that provided a chance to Texas’ batting to pile up three early runs. After David Murphy and Ian Kinsler scored an RBI each in the second, Nelson Cruz
launched a solo homer off the Tigers’ starter Justin Verlander in the bottom of the fourth inning.
It helped Carlos to gain confidence as he struck-out six batters before allowing two runs in the fifth inning. Following Wilson’s four strong innings, Mike Gonzalez completed the fifth. Alexi Ogando struck-out three batters over his no-hit two innings to
earn his first post-season win. Darren Oliver and Mike Adams both collectively completed the eighth inning putting the Tigers under great pressure.
Having a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Neftali Feliz started and shined sending all three batters with strike-outs. Ramon Santiago bunted to second base to steal first base. Feliz then tossed three swinging strikes to left hander Wilson Betemit
for a strike-out and followed taking Austin Jackson and Ryan Raburn.
Jackson was the biggest threat for the Rangers, as he has been the part of the Tigers’ two runs in the fifth inning. Centre-fielder entered the plate five times and managed to make a run gathering hit.
Besides Jackson, Santiago got three hits and one score but the other batters could not provide valuable support to him. Raburn, Miguel Cabrera and Joel Peralta also made hits but they could not turn their base runs into scores.
Rangers have taken a 1-0 lead in the seven game series. Their next outing will be at the same venue on Sunday, October 9. Derek Holland will land to square his old rival Max Scherzer. Both teams will be looking to put in a good performance and dominate the
game early.
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