Back to Winning: Harrison Comes Up Big in the Bronx

In the first trip back to Yankee stadium since the 2010 ALCS, the Rangers started off with a bang. The undefeated Matt Harrison picked up his third win of the season against a powerful lineup. The offense performed well enough last night to support the pitching effort. In the first game of the series the Rangers won 5-3.

Harrison went eight innings last night, longer than he has gone in either of his first two starts. Harrison allowed seven hits and two runs in the outing and only one of those was earned. Matt Harrison put people on base, but forced batters into six double-plays. The double-plays last night tied the American League record for most in a single game.

Ron Washington kept Harrison into the game all the way through the eighth inning, and was well rewarded. Harrison did allow a solo home run to Curtis Granderson in the eighth inning, to make the game 5-2. This resulted in a save opportunity for Neftali Feliz, who came in for the 9th inning. Neftali got himself into some trouble, he allowed two hits a walk and a run. Feliz had the potential game-winning run in the batter box, but was able to force a fly ball to Nelson Cruz to end the game.

The Rangers offense did the job but didn’t do much damage. Michael Young had a big game, going 2-4 with two RBIs, Ian Kinsler walked twice and had a RBI on the game. The Rangers also had a run scored by Elvis Andrus on a wild pitch.

Tomorrow we get to see Derek Holland take on Freddy Garcia at 12:05pm. The Texas Rangers, now 10 and 3, hope this momentum carries over for the other two games.

-Jonathan