Rangers Rock Rays, Take Game One 5-1

Unlikely hero Bengie Molina (11) led the Rangers with three hits as Texas fired on all cylinders in the first game of the American League Divisional Series (A.L.D.S.). (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

In one dominant first game performance, the Texas Rangers have doubled their previous playoff win total. The Rangers, losers of nine straight postseason games, were able to take down the Tampa Bay Rays behind a dominant start from Cliff Lee and some timely hitting from a few newcomers to the lineup.

"I like pitching on a big stage," Lee said. "Just pitching in the big leagues alone is an honor, but when you get an opportunity to make it to the postseason that's what it's all about. That's what you play all year for. I enjoy it, and I try to have fun with it."

Lee started the game with a rocky first inning in which he allowed three hits, all soft singles, and loaded the bases with only one out.
The Rangers' ace recovered, striking out Rays' first baseman Carlos Pena looking and outfielder Rocco Baldelli swinging to end the inning. Lee allowed only two more hits the rest of the game, retiring 12 straight and 16 of 17 at one point, as he set a Rangers' franchise playoff record for strikeouts in a game (10).

The only real blemish on Lee's outing was a pitch he left up in the zone to Rays' outfielder Ben Zobrist in the seventh. Zobrist knocked a 1-0 pitch over the right field wall for Tampa Bay's only run of the game.

Lee is now 5-0 with a sub.-1.50 ERA for his career in the playoffs.

"It's not time to sit here and pat myself on the back. We've got a lot of work to do," Lee said. "I feel good about helping us get off to a good start, and hopefully I can continue to do the same. That's what I expect to do."

The Rangers offense also wasn't shy about showing themselves on the grand stage of the playoffs. Unlike previous Rangers' offenses in the playoffs, this iteration was able to put up runs in bunches. The Rangers got to Rays' starter David Price early and often, which made the difference as Texas had five hits and scored two runs the first time through the batting order.

"I thought the game was really kind of won or lost there in the first inning," Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "Both pitchers had their backs to the wall. Cliff got a couple big punchouts there. He gave up three hits in the first ... no hard contacts. He battled up right there and put up a huge doughnut. That was a big zero. Then we come back and we score. Momentum kind of went our way and Clifford got better as he went along."

Newcomers to the Rangers lineup were the main catalysts in the Rangers' first playoff win since 1996. Jeff Francoeur, Bengie Molina and Vladimir Guerrero, who also all have previous playoff experience, combined to go 6 for 12 from the plate and knocked in four of the five total Ranger runs for the game. Molina led the way with a 3 for 4 afternoon, belting an RBI single and a solo homer. Nelson Cruz accounted for the other Rangers run, smashing a high fastball from Price 445 feet over the center field wall on a 3-0 count in the third inning.

"It's very frustrating," Price said. "I wasn't at my best. It's tough to swallow."

Price, who ranks second in the A.L. in wins (19) and third in earned run average (2.72), allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Any way you slice it, this victory is a huge step in the Rangers' goal to win the first playoff series in franchise history. For a team like Texas, who have not only struggled in Tampa Bay, but on the road all season, to come out a win a game against a starter like Price and the American League East champs in their own ballpark really sets the tone for the rest of the series.

Game two of the A.L.D.S. will take place Thursday afternoon, with a 1:37 p.m. central start time. C.J. Wilson (15-8, 3.35 ERA) will get the nod for Texas, while James Shields (13-15, 5.18) will take the mound for Tampa Bay.

News and Notes:

• Texas is currently the only franchise in Major League Baseball without a playoff series win.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)