Texas Rangers series sweep over Boston Red Sox, Matt Harrison pitches
Matt Harrison had a point to make and he did so, as he went up against the Boston Red Sox at the Rangers Ballpark.
The ace pitcher was in the mix to give the Texas Rangers some breathing space given their rotation problems over Spring Training in Arizona. Now back in Arlington, Harrison silenced his critics as the 25-year old managed to put the opposition to rest with an impressive ball throwing stint that lasted seven innings.
Harrison conceded just one run over five hits. His seven innings went well as the relievers moved into sweep the remaining innings with ease. Darren Oliver pitched in the eighth innings, while Neftali Feliz took over closing duties in the ninth to take out the remaining Red Sox personnel.
With an earning runs average (ERA) of 1.29, Harrison was able to prove that his inclusion isn’t a mistake. Coming back from a dismal display in 2010 Spring Training with an average of 5.14, the hurler is on a good path to making things work for him this season.
"This was a big confidence-booster", Harrison said. "Coming into the game, even with the type of line up they have, I knew if I could hit my spots and mix my pitches, I could keep them under control".
Harrison had trouble in the seventh inning but manager, Ron Washington, was able to keep his faith in his premier pitcher as danger was averted and the hazard was contained to a single run over the span of seven innings.
The seventh innings began with Harrison walking Kevin Youkilis. David Ortiz came into single and get Youkilis to second base. Jed Lowrie walked in next to ground a hit. While Youkilis made it to third, Ortiz went out.
It took a Carl Crawford single to get the run for the Red Sox. With the first two bases loaded, the Texas pitcher got Jarrod Saltalamacchia to fly out. The game then got risky for the ball thrower as his wild pitch landed Lowrie on third.
He walked Darnell McDonald to load all bases and that spelled danger for the Rangers’ camp. However, Washington took no issue with the matter as Jacoby Ellsbury came onto the plate to face Harrison. Things were not going to get messier as the hurler struck out the last man, swinging.
"I knew there was a chance that [Washington] could take me out", Harrison said. "But if I was able to stay in the game, I just wanted to make my pitches. It was awesome that he let me battle through it".
With a major win over the Red Sox, Harrison is in the clearing to establish himself in the line-up. Can the Rangers repeat their endeavours from last month? That’s an important question that will be answered in the coming months.
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