Texas Rangers defeat Baltimore Orioles 13-5 – MLB Update
Texas Rangers completed the three-game sweep as they beat the Baltimore Orioles 13-5 at Rangers Ballpark on Wednesday, July 6.
Alexi Ogando pitched seven strong innings to contain the toiling Orioles’ offence.
Texas, having won 47 games so far, descended on the ground with confidence, but not complacence. Even though the team had won the previous two games and were predicted to have an edge here as well, as the Rangers put up a good show to win a meritorious victory.
The Rangers’ offence sparked since the very first inning that saw 3-hits and four runs against the helpless Jeremy Guthrie. Adrian Beltre and Michael Young snapped a single each while Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer.
Derrek Lee hit a two-run homer in the second inning to bring Rangers lead down to 4-2 which remained unchanged until the bottom of the fifth inning as the Texas hitters swung their bats with all the more force.
Beltre and Young drove in a single each to maintain the Rangers growing lead, taking it to 6-2.
"We knew we could hit," Young said. "We have a talented group of guys one through nine. We feel like anyone who's up at the plate has a chance to put up a good at-bat and find a way to be productive."
Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus took a single each to take the lead to 8-2. While the hitters had their share of wonderful play, Ogando came down harder on Baltimore’s offence. As he concluded his spell in the seventh, giving up four hits and three runs, Ogando
had strengthened the Rangers.
"Of course, I'm here doing my job and I don't have control over those things, but if those things happen, I of course, would be happy to play and represent my team in the All-Star game," Ogando said.
With the conclusion of the seventh inning, Ogando will now get some well deserved rest. "It'll be good to have some days off, but I feel strong," Ogando said. "I don't feel that I'm tired or that I show that I'm tired, but the break is always good."
Young then had the third hit of his game to earn another RBI while remaining at-bat four times. Mike Napoli hit another massive hit, enabling Young and Moreland to get three more valuable runs to take the lead to 12-3.
Texas’ reliever Yoshinori Tateyama gave up three hits and two runs in the 8th inning to Nick Markakis and Vladimir Guerrero, but Darren O'Day pitched a shut-out 9th to win the game 13-5, comfortably sweeping the series for the Texas.
The Rangers gained some much needed confidence from this victory, as they try to carry their momentum forward.
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