The Rangers celebrate (above) after reaching the American League Championship Series (A.L.C.S.) for the first time in franchise history. Texas won with some clutch hitting and elite pitching from Cliff Lee. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)The legend of Cliff Lee continues to grow after an epic, complete game series clinching performance has the Texas Rangers (3-2) heading into the A.L.C.S.
"It was a lot of fun, I know that much," Lee said.
"We had our back against the wall today and we came out and performed."
Lee went the distance, allowing only one run on six hits against the Tampa Bay Rays (2-3), while setting an American League Divisional Series record with 21 strikeouts in two games. For the series, Lee had more K's than hits allowed, as the lefty allowed a grand total of 11 hits in two wins.
"I don't think you can ask any more of a guy," Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Lee, who is now 6-0 with three shutouts, 54 strikeouts, and a 1.44 earned run average in seven career postseason starts.
With the victory, Texas becomes the only team in Major League history to win all three road games in a divisional series. The Rangers pitching staff had a combined 55 K's in five games, a Major League Divisional Series record.
"It's unbelievable. Something we're proud of because it's never happened in Texas before," slugger Josh Hamilton said. "Hopefully, we can take it to the next level."
Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz did the majority of the damage at the plate, combining for over half of the Rangers total hits (6), going 6 for 10 with three runs and three RBI. Kinsler accounted for all three RBI, putting Texas ahead 3-1 on a fielder's choice in the sixth inning, and then blasting a two-run homer with Cruz on base in the ninth that sealed the win for the Rangers.
Rays' starter David Price (L, 0-2) lasted six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, while striking out six. It's the first time all year the 19-game winner has lost in back-to-back starts.
"David pitched fine. We made too many spring training mistakes," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I want to congratulate the Rangers. Spectacular achievement they put forth this season."
Fittingly, the Rangers will take on the New York Yankees in the A.L.C.S. - the same team that knocked Texas out (sweeping them twice) in each of the franchise's only other three playoff appearances. The Rangers went 4-4 this season against N.Y., taking three straight at home in September to secure the season series split.
The defending champion Yankees swept the Minnesota Twins in three games to reach the A.L.C.S.
"They're the defending champs," third baseman Michael Young said. "You've got to knock the champ off the mountain, and we're excited about the opportunity."
Texas will have home field advantage in the A.L.C.S., thanks to the American League West pennant, and game one is Friday night, in Arlington, at 7 p.m on TBS. C.J. Wilson will make the start for the Rangers, while C.C. Sabathia will get the nod for the Yanks.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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