Lee picks up 100th career win over the Athletics.

In Cliff Lee’s 209th start he picked up his 100 career win over the Oakland Athletics tonight.  He pitched eight innings giving up one run on 7 hits and no walks.  The solo run came in the first inning after first baseman Daric Barton tripled on a 0-2 count to right fielder Nelson Cruz.  The next batter catcher Kurt Suzuki then doubled on a 2-1 count to bring Barton into score.

In tonight’s win, the player on the losing end was Dallas Braden who pitched a perfect game earlier this season against the Tampa Bay Rays.  The lost dropped Braden’s record to 6-8 on the season with a .375 ERA.  The Athletics had big hopes coming into the season after signing starter Ben Sheets who missed all of 2009 to a $10 million one year deal.  Sheets re injured his elbow and is now out for the season.

The next batter was third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoffwho grounded out on a 3-2 count before designated hitter Adam Rosales struck out on a 0-3 count.  Over the next 7 innings Lee gave up five hits with no runs.  He then gave way to Frank Francisco who closed out the win with one hit and one strikeout.

The Rangers offense came alive with right fielder Josh Hamilton clubbing his 24 home run of the season and Taylor Teagarden hitting his second home run of the season.  Catcher Taylor Teagardenlead the offense with tw0 runs, two RBI’sand went 2-4 at the plate.  Hamilton is still leading the Rangers with a .357 average which is leading the American League and is 12 points higher than Justin Morneau who has a .345 average.

The Rangers now actually have a 9.5 game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West.  The Rangers now have an overall record of 64-45.  The Angels have now actually dropped to 10 games behind the Rangers, with 53 games the Rangers just need to keep focused and they are on track to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.