The Rangers Win Game 5 to Advance to the ALCS
The Rangers have set another record in MLB history. They are the first team to ever win each away game in a series. They won both of their first games against the Tampa Bay Rays. They were also the first team, along with the Rays of course, to force a five-game
series since 2005.
Unfortunately for the Rangers, the Rays won both of their games in the Rangers’ home field.
After being 2-2 on October 10, the Rangers won the best-of-five series deciding game, mostly due to some daring base-runners. Game 5 took place on Tuesday October 12th, in which pitcher Cliff Lee struck out a total of 11 batters, 9 of which were in a row,
and allowed only 6 hits.
"It was a lot of fun, I know that much," said Lee, of the game. "We had our back against the wall today and we came out and performed."
Luckily for the Rangers, they won Game 5 of the series, which advances them to the American League Championship series against the defending World Series champions, the New York Yankees.
All the Rangers can hope is to play well, like in their best-of-five series games, and acquire a bit of luck.
The best-of-seven ALCS game will take place on Friday October 15, 2010, with the Rangers hosting the Yankees at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.
"They're a great team and that's why they are where they are," Lee said about their upcoming game. "They're going to be a good challenge, just like these guys."
The Rays scored a solitary run after a single by Ben Zobrist allowed Sean Rodriguez to score their only run in the third inning.
The Rangers had a much better game. In the first inning, Josh Hamilton hit a grounder to first base, which gave Elvis Andrus a chance to score after stealing base. Andrus took up that chance, making the game 1-0 with the Rangers in the lead.
In the third, Rodriguez scored for the Rays, making the score 1-1. The next two runs put the Rangers ahead after some daring base-stealing by Nelson Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero.
In the fourth inning, Cruz was safe at second base after he hit a long shot into the deepest part of the ballpark, hitting the wall and almost making his fourth home run of the series. Catching the Rays’ defense napping, Cruz took advantage of their wandering
attention and stole third. Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach made an error throwing to third base to attempt to tag Cruz out, but an error in his throwing allowed Cruz to run for home while the Rays were chasing the ball.
The score was now 2-1, to the Rangers.
Even the slow-footed Bengie Molina was in the mood for stealing bases, after he singled and stole third in his first steal in four years.
Not long after, in the sixth inning, runners were safe at first and second base with one out. Ian Kinsler hit a grounder to first baseman, Carlos Pena, who relayed the ball to second to try and get an out. While David Price of the Rays was still trying to
understand what was going on, Guerrero took off for home. After the surprised Price looked at the umpire for a call, it was too late. Guerrero had scored, making the score 3-1.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Rangers were well ahead of the Rays, but even then they didn’t take it easy.
Kinsler hit a 392 foot homer to the right, which also allowed Cruz to score again. The final score was 5-1.
When B.J. Upton hit a pop fly out to the shortstop for the final out, Lee didn't even observe the ball going into Andrus' glove. He merely walked to catcher Molina and the two hugged as Rangers players stormed the field to crowd Lee near home plate.
The Rangers had been the only team to never have won a playoff series, making this the first in the history of the franchise. They are nervous about their upcoming game, as they have been knocked out of the series by the Yankees in 1996, ’98, and ’99.
"It's something we're proud of,” said slugger Josh Hamilton. "Hopefully, we can take it to the next level."
Let’s hope so, Josh… Let’s hope so…
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