Rangers eliminate the Rays
Source: Agencies |
October 6, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Texas Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Florida, to win the series 3-1 and advance into the American League Championship Series.
Adrian Beltre hit three homers for the Rangers, becoming just the seventh player to homer three times in a postseason game, and the first since Adam Kennedy of the Angels in 2002. Baseball legends Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and George Brett also are on the list.
The Texas slugger connected in his first three at-bats. Given a chance to tie the big league record of four homers in a game, Beltre hit a flyout in the eighth.
Rangers closer Neftali Feliz gave up a run in the ninth inning before getting his third save of the series.
Texas won for the fifth straight time on the road - all at Tropicana Field - in an opening-round playoff series. The Rangers eliminated Tampa Bay in five games last year.
Ian Kinsler led off the game for Texas by homering on the second pitch from Rays rookie Jeremy Hellickson.
Then it was Beltre's turn. He came into the game in an 1-for-11 slump in this series before breaking loose.
"The first couple games their pitching was really good," Beltre said. "Today something changed, I felt more comfortable at the plate, and I did something to help my team win."
Beltre hit solo shots off Hellickson in the second and fourth innings, and added another solo drive against Matt Moore during the seventh.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees escaped elimination with a thumping 10-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers to force a deciding Game Five.
The Philadelphia Phillies hung on to edge St. Louis 3-2 and take a 2-1 lead in their National League Division Series while Paul Goldschmidt hit a grand slam and tied a franchise postseason record with five RBIs as Arizona cruised past Milwaukee 8-1, staying alive in the NL Division Series.
In Detroit, the Yankees tied the series at 2-2 with the rout and the teams will now meet in the deciding game in New York today. The winner will advance to the AL Championship Series against Texas.
New York starter A.J. Burnett, who has been frustratingly inconsistent this season, had an impressive game against Detroit though he had some help.
On the defensive side, former Tiger Curtis Granderson produced two sensational catches in center field while on offense New York's batters delivered 13 hits, with Derek Jeter driving a two-run double to provide an early lead.
"We don't win that game tonight without defense," Burnett said.
Yankees manager Girardi, meanwhile, was proud of Burnett. "In a must-win situation for us, he pitched one of his best games of the year," the relieved manager said.
In St. Louis, pinch-hitter Ben Francisco hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Phillies hung on to edge St. Louis.
Francisco came in for pitcher Cole Hamels and broke open a scoreless game with his two-out shot.
Phillies closer Ryan Madson earned his first multi-inning save of the year.
Adrian Beltre hit three homers for the Rangers, becoming just the seventh player to homer three times in a postseason game, and the first since Adam Kennedy of the Angels in 2002. Baseball legends Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and George Brett also are on the list.
The Texas slugger connected in his first three at-bats. Given a chance to tie the big league record of four homers in a game, Beltre hit a flyout in the eighth.
Rangers closer Neftali Feliz gave up a run in the ninth inning before getting his third save of the series.
Texas won for the fifth straight time on the road - all at Tropicana Field - in an opening-round playoff series. The Rangers eliminated Tampa Bay in five games last year.
Ian Kinsler led off the game for Texas by homering on the second pitch from Rays rookie Jeremy Hellickson.
Then it was Beltre's turn. He came into the game in an 1-for-11 slump in this series before breaking loose.
"The first couple games their pitching was really good," Beltre said. "Today something changed, I felt more comfortable at the plate, and I did something to help my team win."
Beltre hit solo shots off Hellickson in the second and fourth innings, and added another solo drive against Matt Moore during the seventh.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees escaped elimination with a thumping 10-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers to force a deciding Game Five.
The Philadelphia Phillies hung on to edge St. Louis 3-2 and take a 2-1 lead in their National League Division Series while Paul Goldschmidt hit a grand slam and tied a franchise postseason record with five RBIs as Arizona cruised past Milwaukee 8-1, staying alive in the NL Division Series.
In Detroit, the Yankees tied the series at 2-2 with the rout and the teams will now meet in the deciding game in New York today. The winner will advance to the AL Championship Series against Texas.
New York starter A.J. Burnett, who has been frustratingly inconsistent this season, had an impressive game against Detroit though he had some help.
On the defensive side, former Tiger Curtis Granderson produced two sensational catches in center field while on offense New York's batters delivered 13 hits, with Derek Jeter driving a two-run double to provide an early lead.
"We don't win that game tonight without defense," Burnett said.
Yankees manager Girardi, meanwhile, was proud of Burnett. "In a must-win situation for us, he pitched one of his best games of the year," the relieved manager said.
In St. Louis, pinch-hitter Ben Francisco hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Phillies hung on to edge St. Louis.
Francisco came in for pitcher Cole Hamels and broke open a scoreless game with his two-out shot.
Phillies closer Ryan Madson earned his first multi-inning save of the year.
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