Texas manager Ron Washington speaks after club qualifies for Championship Series – MLB Playoffs
Texas Rangers’ manager Ron Washington was excited over his squad’s 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
One of the talking points of the Texas manager was the determination shown by the team to go through to the American League Championship Series. The gaffer laid a great deal of praise on Adrian Beltre. The third baseman and former Boston Red Sox player smashed
three homers in the game to get the team to where it is right now.
"What a day for him to break out," Washington said. "We needed everything he gave us. He carried us on his back today."
Ian Kinsler paved the way for the Rangers’ scoring trail. He ignited the flames with a solo homer in the first inning against rookie pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. Beltre followed the act, punishing the pitcher with two homers and then hitting one against rookie
hurler, Matt Moore.
Going down 1-0 in the Division Series earlier, the Rangers responded well as they picked up three straight wins in the playoffs to go on top.
One of the best things about the Rangers has been their pitching. The bull-pen has done well with Alexi Ogando, Mike Adams and Neftali Feliz. The club had restricted the Rays’ hitters well in the last two games. B. J. Upton and Evan Longoria were quiet in
the last two bouts as they collectively went 0-for-13 with nine strike-outs.
"We were attacking them the same way we tried to attack them all year," Washington said. "You know, the thing about Upton and Longoria, when you make mistakes, they make you pay."
In the first two games, Upton and Longoria were 7-for-18. Washington’s tactics were part of the winning strategy that got the Rangers through. It was a brilliant team effort that got the Rangers into a more competitive frame of mind as they dominated the
Rays throughout the exciting series. The Rangers will be looking to carry their winning momentum forward in the Championship Series against either the New York Yankees or the Detroit Tigers.
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