Texas rebounds after blowing the first game in the series, outscoring Seattle by a total of 19-3 in the last two games. Colby Lewis (above) and C.J. Wilson each contributed quality starts to go along with a booming Rangers' offense. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)Just when "here we go again" began to creep in to Texas Rangers (32-27) fans' collective minds, Texas does what it has all season long: come back strong.
The Rangers' got consecutive quality starts for the first time in nearly a month and, combine that with a powerful offense, Texas demolished the Seattle Mariners (23-36) in two straight games to reclaim first place in the American League West.
"We all know the bullpen has been taxed a bit," said Tuesday's starter Colby Lewis, who gave the Rangers seven innings of one run ball on 119 pitches. "That's just one of those deals where you want to give them a break. I'm used to going deep in games."
In the Rangers' 7-1 victory on Tuesday night, Lewis allowed only four hits and struck out four batters - retiring 10 of the final 12 batters he faced. In terms of giving the bullpen rest, he's gone at least six innings in his last four starts - a rarity among Texas starting pitchers.
The offense was no slouch either, as Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero and Elvis Andrus contributed two RBI each. Guerrero hit a two-run homer in the seventh that chased Mariners' starter Felix Hernandez after he allowed seven runs on eight hits for the game.
Wednesday's starter, C.J. Wilson, followed the tune of Lewis, going seven innings and allowing only two runs on four hits. Wilson allowed both runs and two of the four hits in the first inning before settling down and allowing only two singles the rest of the game.
"I was just trying to throw strikes and cruise," said Wilson, who struck out four for the game.
The Rangers offense gave Wilson a big boost, scoring eight runs in the first two innings and Texas put the game away early. Texas didn't let up, scoring four more runs to cruise to a 12-2 victory.
"I have nothing but confidence in our team scoring runs," said Wilson.
That they did as Texas racked up a total 15 hits and scored 10 or more runs for the first time since May 12. Guerrero and Hamilton led the way again, combining for five RBI for the game. Hamilton hit a two-run homer in the second to cap off the Rangers five-run inning.
"We had a big inning early, and then 'let's get another one, and another one after that,'" said Hamilton. "You don't want to let 'em back in the game."
Team captain Michael Young added a two-run blast in the first to kick-off the Rangers scoring barrage as seven batters knocked in at least one RBI.
"We're swinging the bats really well over the last few weeks, doing what we're capable of doing," said Young, whose team has averaged 6.9 runs per game so far in the month of June (6-3). "If we keep improving on offense, we'll be in great shape at the end of year."
Scoring runs and lighting up the scoreboard is very entertaining, but the biggest thing about the last two games is the fact that Rangers' starters have combined to go 14 innings, allowing only eight hits and a total of three runs. If this starting rotation can get on track and start eating some innings and playing quality baseball, then this team will be in great shape at the end of the year. If not, then we are looking at another year where we Rangers' fans feel cheated by the end of August.
Let's also keep in the mind that this is the Seattle Mariners, not the New York Yankees. Texas did what they are supposed to do and they should win to close the series out Thursday night at the Ballpark in Arlington.
It's a 7:05 p.m. start time with Tommy Hunter (1-0, 1.00 ERA) taking the hill for Texas and Rowland Smith (0-4, 6.65) starting for Seattle.
News and Notes:
- Texas drafted outfielder Jake Skole out of Georgia Tech and catcher Kellin Deglan out of Langley H.S. Each player has signed a contract tender.
- Here's a scouting report on each Rangers' draftee on LoneStarBall.com.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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