The Texas Rangers Power Past the Detroit Tigers

Sep 30, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman

Mitch Moreland

(18) braces to be dunked with Powerade by shortstop

Elvis Andrus

(1) and second baseman

Rougned Odor

(12) after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers (86-72) beat the Detroit Tigers (73-85) to take game three and win the three game series in Arlington Texas. Yovani Gallardo (13-11 3.42 ERA) pitched well and got the win for the Rangers, while Matt Boyd (1-5 7.43 ERA) took the loss for the Tigers.

Yovani Gallarado has been a solid pitcher for the Rangers all year, and he didn’t disappoint again tonight. Gallarado pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs while surrendering nine hits. Gallarado did a good job of commanding the strike zone tonight, surrendering just one walk while striking out five. You would’ve loved to see him go deeper into the game, something he has struggled with all season. Nevertheless, it was a solid outing and one the Rangers will take.

The Rangers bullpen came in tonight and did what they have done the whole second half of the season, and that is pitch exceptionally well. Andrew Faulkner came in and did what he was called upon to do, pitching 1/3 of an inning. Ross Ohlendorf then pitched 1 and 1/3 of an inning, giving up no runs and one hit. Sam Dyson followed, straight overpowering Tigers hitters and striking out two. Shawn Tolleson closed the Tigers out in the ninth, preserving another scoreless outing for the Rangers bullpen.

The Tigers pitching let them down for the second night in a row, and for the second night in a row the starter got the quick hook. Boyd lasted just 2 2/3 innings of seven hit ball, allowing six earned runs while striking out two and walking one. Boyd has struggled all year, and tonight was no different. The Rangers used the long ball to jump all over him, taking three pitches deep to account for their six runs.

The bright spot for the Tigers was no doubt their bullpen tonight, as they needed just two relievers to hold the Rangers scoreless for 5 1/3 innings. Jeff Ferrell pitched 1 2/3 inning of one hit ball, shutting down the Rangers and stopping the bleeding. Kyle Lobstein came in and was very impressive for the Rangers tonight, pitching the final 3 2/3 innings while allowing just one hit. For a Tigers bullpen that wasn’t full strength after last night, his outing was very impressive and something the Tigers desperately needed.

The Rangers offense did tonight what they have done all season, and that is jump on the starting pitching. The Rangers offense got rolling in the first, when Adrian Beltre deposited a ball into souvenir city. The Rangers big inning came in the third, when Robinson Chirinos started it off with a bang and some home run fireworks. Prince Fielder wasn’t held out against his old team, as he ripped a base hit to center field to score Beltre. Mike Napoli topped off the scoring for the night, when he powered one into the left field seats and scoring Fielder.

Everything has fallen in place for the Rangers in the past 24 hours, as the Oakland A’s took care of the Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners are in a battle with the Houston Astros. The Rangers magic number at the moment is at two, but there is a good chance of that going down to one later tonight.

The Texas Rangers (86-72) will battle the Los Angeles Angels (73-84) tomorrow in a crucial series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers will turn to Derek Holland (4-4 4.99 ERA) and the Angels will turn to Andrew Heaney (6-3 3.29 ERA).