Texas Rangers shutout the Tampa Bay Rays 8-0 – MLB Update
The Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-0 in their second game of the series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, September 7.
The club was looking to square the series and they did so in style as C. J. Wilson pounced on the home team’s offensive line up with a shutout performance.
Texas manager Ron Washington saw a lot of positive things in the Rangers’ attack and defence. Wilson delivered the team, his first career shutout, while David Murphy proved his mettle by going 4-for-4 and bringing in four RBIs and two runs. The Rays were
disappointing in their display and their starter, Jeff Niemann, suffered a heavy blow at the hands of the Rangers’ hitters.
The Tampa Bay hurler allowed seven runs off nine hits in 4.2 innings. Wilson on the other hand, allowed just five hits in his complete game. Ian Kinsler kick started the scoring rout for the Rangers with an early homer in the top first. David Murphy then
added another home-run in the top of the second. Elvis Andrus scored in the top third when Josh Hamilton smashed a double to centre-field.
Murphy then smashed a double of his own, leading in Michael Young and Adrian Beltre for two more runs. By the end of the third inning, the Rangers were up 5-0. Hamilton added another run to the pile in the top of the fifth when Beltre hit a sacrifice fly
to B. J. Upton in centre-field. After Cesar Ramos replaced Niemann, Murphy smashed another RBI double. This time Young ran in home.
Murphy got on the scoring sheet again in the top of the eighth when Mike Napoli drew a RBI double to centre-field. The game ended on 8-0 and the Rangers secured an important series draw.
Washington was pleased with the performance and he was happy that his squad was able to return from a defeat on Monday.
"We got shut down by a pretty good pitcher yesterday and pitching will always stop offense," Washington said. "Tonight, we were able to get on Niemann. Kinsler got us on board, then Murphy followed up with one and then from that point on, we just kept getting
after him."
The skipper also had good words for Wilson. He explained to the press when the decision was made by the hurler to close the game on his own.
"[Wilson] told us in the fifth inning he was going to finish," Washington said. "He had his cutter working tonight and a tight slider."
Washington concluded his statement by saying that the pitcher was moving his fastball around the strike zone. He dominated the game and was in complete control.
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