Tommy Hunter becomes first Rangers pitcher to start season 7-0

The Rangers won for the fifth time in six games since the All-Star break improving Starter Tommy Hunter’s record to 7-0.  The Rangers walked all over Armando Galarraga and the Tigers beating them for the second night in a row in a final score of 8-0.  Thankfully tonight’s win only took nine innings unlike last nights marathon 14 inning game.  David Murphy, Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton each homered in tonight’s game with Hamilton now having 23 home runs so far this year.  Surprisingly Hunter is the very first Ranger to start a season 7-0.

The Ranger’s scored quick with two runs in the first inning to give Tommy Hunter an early need and that’s all he needed although the Rangers scored six more runs to cap off the win.  Hunter pitched seven shutout innings only giving up three hits and two walks, but no runs.  He also recorded 3 strikeouts.  Darren Oliver pitched the eighth inning working around one walk with one strikeout and no hits or runs.

The Rangers recalled Doug Mathis to replace an injured Dustin Nippert who was struck in the side of his head with a line drive off the bat of the Tiger’s lead off hitter Austin Jackson.  Luckily Nippert did not have any structural damage, but he would be out for a few days and the Rangers decided they needed the help.  Mathis saw game action quickly pitching tonight’s ninth inning only giving up one hit, but sealing the win for Tommy Hunter.

The Rangers now have the second best record in the American League behind the New York Yankees, but are leading the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by five games and the Athletics by 8.5 games.  The Rangers have the roster to push through the dog days of summer and finish strong eventually winning the American League West title for the first time since 1999.  With the acquistion Cliff Lee the Rangers now have a proven playoff pitcher and Rangers fans finally have a October to look foward to.