Rangers News: Rangers Tame Tigers, Take Three of Four

Aug 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mike Napoli (25) receives congratulations from Rougned Odor (12) after he hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

63. 4. 126. Final. 2

The Texas Rangers (64-59) beat the Detroit Tigers (59-64) on Sunday afternoon, winning 4-2 and taking three of four in the Motor City. Cole Hamels (1-1, 4.73 ERA) got his first win in a Rangers uniform, and kept a potent Tigers offense at bay. Matt Boyd (1-3, 7.04 ERA) took the loss for the Detroit Tigers.

The Rangers grabbed a hold of the second wild card spot last night and they needed to keep that momentum going, and that is exactly what they did today. Hamels did exactly what the Rangers hoped he would do when they went out and got him, and that’s win big ballgames down the stretch. Hamels pitched six innings, allowing eight hits and two earned runs. The Tigers were able to get base runners on for much of the afternoon against Hamels, but as good pitchers do, he was able to escape many jams and limit the damage when the Tigers did strike. Hamels has big game experience and he showcased that today with a nice outing.

The bullpen has caught a ton of grief so far this season, but they have turned it on down the stretch and it’s no coincidence that the Rangers have as well. Keone Kela came in and worked a scoreless seventh, allowing one hit in the process. Sam Dyson then came in for the eighth inning and worked a scoreless eighth, which was nice to see after last nights outing. Shawn Tolleson closed the door in the ninth, pitching a perfect ninth inning and securing the Rangers ninth victory in their past eleven.

Matt Boyd had a decent outing for the Tigers, going six innings, allowing three earned runs and five hits. He struck out three Ranger batters and walked two, giving way to Drew VerHagen in the seventh. The Tigers bullpen did a pretty good job at keeping them within a run, but a Mike Napoli home run made it 4-2 and that proved to be the final score.

Chris Gimenez got things going for the Rangers this afternoon, hitting a home run in the third inning to make it 1-1. Gimenez finished the afternoon going 2-for-3 with that home run, and he’s been a very dependable backstop for the Rangers. The Rangers struck again in the sixth inning and they used small ball to do so. Shin-Soo Choo started off the sixth inning by taking a hit by pitch, and Elvis Andrus laid down a perfect bunt down the first base line to make it first and second with no outs. Mitch Moreland then took a hanging slider and hooked it down the right field line scoring Choo and Andrus. The two run double gave the Rangers their first lead of the afternoon, making it 3-2. Mike Napoli then added an insurance run in the eighth with a home run to left.

For the Tigers, Miguel Cabrera paced the Tigers offense yet again, going 2-for-4 and terrorizing Rangers pitching as he has done all series. José Iglesias collected the only RBI for the Tigers, and left fielder Tyler Collins had a nice game going 2-for-4 as well.

In the fifth inning, veteran third baseman Adrian Beltre and Rangers manager Jeff Banister both got ejected. It all started with Beltre arguing balls and strikes from the dugout and then getting rung up after he was told to stop but kept going at it. Once Banister realized what exactly happened, he went off and quickly followed Beltre to the clubhouse as he was also ejected. I personally found it absolutely ridiculous that Beltre got tossed for arguing balls and strikes from 90 feet away and I’m glad it didn’t come back to hurt the Rangers.

The Rangers will travel home tonight before getting an off day tomorrow, and when they come home, they’ll have their biggest series of the year. The Rangers open a huge three game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, with both of those teams currently holding the wildcard spots. The Rangers will turn to Derek Holland (1-1 3.68 ERA) and the Blue Jays will turn to veteran Southpaw Mark Buehrle (13-6 3.45). This is a huge series for the Rangers, and I am hoping that Globe Life Park in Arlington will be packed to support these guys down the stretch! Fox Sports Southwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: Rangers Roundup: August 21st

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