Texas bounced back with a two game sweep over it's division rival Angels. Vladimir Guerrero (above) took it to his old team, going 4 for 8, scoring three runs and knocking in another in the series. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)After a demoralizing three game sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Texas Rangers (22-18) needed an opportunity to rebound, especially against a division foe like the Los Angeles Angels (18-23).
Luckily for Texas, they were coming home to the Ballpark in Arlington, where they are now 15-7 this season - which is tied for the most wins at home in baseball.
"To be able to come back and get back on track is probably the biggest thing," said Ian Kinsler, who knocked in three runs for the series.
Texas used some quality pitching in the first game, led by Derek Holland's 5 1-3 innings with only three runs allowed. Then Dustin Nippert (2-3 innings), Darren Oliver (2 innings), and Neftali Feliz (1 innings) held L.A. hit-less for the rest of the game. Oliver has allowed only one run in his last 12 appearances.
"Darren Oliver gave us two innings of excellent baseball," said Manager Ron Washington of the former Angels' reliever. "He saved us there."
A four-run third inning early-on put Texas up for good, with Nelson Cruz's two-run double providing the final two runs, and Texas held on (with the aforementioned quality bullpen work) to win 4-3.
The second game was a different story, as the Rangers had to claw their way back from a 7-3 deficit in the fifth inning. Texas began their comeback in the bottom of the fifth after an Ian Kinsler two-run homer and a Nelson Cruz two-run double tied the game 7-7 going into the sixth inning. Then, the very next inning, Captain Clutch Michael Young knocked in Elvis Andrus (who went 3 for 5 for the game with three runs) on a 2-strike single to right field. For the game, Young went 3 for 4 with three RBI.
"Today was a pretty strange game, two starting pitchers who had been throwing the ball extremely well, kind of battling out there," said Young, shying awake from taking any credit for the win. "Our bullpen was the story of the game."
C.J. Wilson didn't have his best stuff on the night, as he had his worst start of the season, giving up seven earned runs in only 4 1-3 innings. As Young said, the bullpen was excellent for the second straight game, allowing no runs and only two hits over the last 4 2-3 innings of the game. Nippert, Darren O'Day, Chris Ray, Frank Francisco and Feliz (Save, 11) combined to strike out eight batters and walk only one in a dominating performance. But, even the shaky start from Wilson couldn't shake his confidence.
"It gives me a lot of confidence actually," said Wilson. "I had an off night but everybody else had a great night."
Vladimir Guerrero, who spent five seasons with the Angels, hit a solo home run in the fourth inning on one of his patented "go for anything near the plate" swings. Guerrero was nearly on one knee when he knocked a pitch that was nearly in the dirt just over the left field wall. For the game, he went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs.
This is a great two-game set for the Rangers, as they beat a team that has won this American League West division in each of the past three years. It may still be early in the season, but Texas sent L.A. a message that they are not pushovers this season.
The Baltimore Orioles, who have the worst record in baseball at 13-27, stop into Texas for a two-game quickie starting Wednesday night.
Rich Harden (2-1, 4.93 ERA) goes against Jeremy Guthrie (2-4, 4.13) with a 7:05 p.m. start time.
News and Notes:
- Josh Hamilton sat out Monday's game after a horrendous three-game series against the Blue Jays, then moved down to fifth in the batting order for Tuesday's game. Hamilton responded by going 2 for 4 with a run scored. Let's hope that stretch of nine K's in 12 at-bats was just an aberration.
- Guerrero, who went 4 for 8 in the series against L.A., is now fourth in the American League in batting average at .345 and tied for third in RBI (32).
- The seven runs allowed by C.J. Wilson Tuesday were four more than he had allowed in any other game this season. Wilson's ERA went from 1.48 (best in the A.L.) to 2.55 (good for eighth).
- Neftali Feliz leads is tied for the A.L. lead with 11 saves. I guess that takes care of any closer controversy, right Washington?
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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