Texas Rangers defeat Oakland Athletics 2-0 in rubber game to snatch series sweep – MLB Update
The Texas Rangers shut-out the Oakland Athletics 2-0 in a rubber outing to clinch three-game series sweep at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Sunday, July 10.
The Rangers’ starter Matt Harrison had an exceptional day with the ball, as he struck-out seven batters, allowed only one walk and permitted six scoreless hits. Tossing 71 strikes of 112 pitches took 25-year-old lefty to his seventh win of the season and
helped him improve his record to 7-7 with 3.04 ERA in 17 starts.
Harrison was little worried in the start, as he did not receive any support from the batting line-up but Adrian Beltre created some relief for him, launching a two-run homer off the Athletics’ starter Trevor Cahill. It was the blow for the Cahill, who otherwise
was tossing super pitches.
"I was able to keep them off balance, moving the ball in and out," Harrison said. "I gave us a chance to win today. I knew it was going to be tough pitching against Cahill. He's a great pitcher and he made one mistake today and that's all we needed to win
the ballgame."
The win provided the Rangers’ manager Ron Washington a real strength.
He said. "I think we finally got the type of baseball moving in the direction we're capable of playing," He further added. "Now we know what we have to do and how we have to do it, just have to go out there and get a little break and continue to play good
baseball. The biggest compliment I can give to them is that I love watching them play."
Mark Lowe tossed three no-hit pitches and closer Neftali Feliz tossed 10 strikes of 17 pitches to get his 18th save of the season.
After allowing a game-losing homer, Cahill tossed the seventh inning but handed the ball to his reliever up the middle of the eighth inning. Cahill was furious at his wobbly pitch that sent him to his seventh loss of the season. Before this game, Cahill
was 8-2 with 2.18 ERA in 11 starts against the Rangers.
Closer Brian Fuentes tossed just four pitches to close down the eighth inning and he did not get a chance to throw in the ninth inning.
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