Rangers Win in Extras Over Royals

Last night the Rangers took on the Royals for one of a two game series. The Rangers swept the Royals in April in Arlington, and put up Alexi Ogando against Danny Duffy making his MLB debut. We’ve got a lengthy recap for you today!

Danny Duffy had his heater working early. In the first he allowed two base runners with no outs. Thanks to a double play ball hit by Ian Kinsler and a pop out from Adrian Beltre, Duffy escaped without allowing any runs.

Ogando struck out Jeff Francoeur to start the bottom half of the second. He forced Billy Butler to ground out and gave up a single to Wilson Betemit. He then walked Matt Treanor on four straight pitches. Ogando gave up a single to Chris Getz to give KC the first run of the game. Betemit was able to score on the play and Treanor advanced to third. Ogando through a slider up and in, and Alcides Escobar singled to drive in Treanor. Luckily Alexi was able to force a fly ball from Alex Gordon to end the inning.

The Rangers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the third. Adrian Beltre grounded into a fielder’s choice at second and was able to get a run home. Duffy forced Moreland to ground out on a slow curveball and ended the inning without allowing any more runs.

Ogando was able to get through the bottom of the 3^rd without allowing a hit or a run; he also picked up two strikeouts. Duffy was working well early in the fourth, but allowed a two-out walk to Craig Gentry. Gentry stole second with Endy Chavez at the plate and Chavez then earned the walk. In an exciting play Gentry and Chavez pulled off a double steal, putting the two in scoring position for Andres Blanco. Gentry then scored a game tying run on a wild pitch from Danny Duffy. Blanco then grounded out to end the top of the fourth.

After allowing a lead-off walk from Ian Kinsler to start the fifth inning Duffy’s night was over. Kinsler was able to swipe second base, Michael Young then forced a walk from reliever Louis Coleman. Adrian Beltre in a disappointing at bat was down 0-2, and then grounded into a double play. Coleman gave Mitch Moreland an intentional walk, to get to Mike Napoli. Napoli popped up foul and Treanor was able to snag the out.

Alexi left the game after the seventh inning and Darren Oliver came in to throw a scoreless 8^th inning. The game stayed tied at two until the top of the ninth. Gentry earned a leadoff walk. Endy Chavez moved Gentry over with a sac-bunt, and Elvis Andrus picked up a pinch hit single to drive in the potential game winning run.

Neftali Feliz came in to close out the game and gave up a lead-off home run to Royals rookie Eric Hosmer. This tied the game at three, in the first blown save of the season for Feliz. Neffy was able to rebound quickly and escaped the inning with the game tied, forcing the game to extra innings.

In the 10th inning the Rangers got off to a quick start. After a multiple disappointing at bats, Adrian Beltre hits a single to right. Mitch Moreland then earned a walk, and the fourth ball went wild and Beltre was able to advance to third. Mike Napoli came up to bat and poorly executed a squeeze play resulting in a tag out of Beltre. David Murphy with one out and two on struck out swinging against Blake Wood. Craig Gentry grounded out to end the inning.

In the 11th with the bases loaded Beltre came up big again with the bases loaded he hit a single that drove in two runs. The second of those runs was from Ian Kinsler who was safe by a hair. Mark Lowe pitched the bottom of the 11th and gave up a run but secured the win.

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In the end of this one Arthur Rhodes grabbed the win and Mark Lowe had the save, last night’s game was a total team effort.

From my perspective Danny Duffy had a solid debut. In four innings he allowed four hits and two runs, while accumulating four strikeouts. There is nowhere to go but up for Duffy, we saw a flashy fastball and we should see it for games to come.

Ogando’s night was excellent, allowing four hits and two runs in seven innings. The young pitcher had five strikeouts and only one walk, his ERA went up slightly to 2.13. Hopefully next time out he can pick up the win.

The Rangers take on the Royals again tomorrow, same time-same place. Hopefully they can win it earlier and with less drama.

-Jonathan