Rays' Moore blanks Rangers in opener
Source: Agencies |
October 2, 2011, Sunday
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MAKING only his second major league start, Tampa Bay's Matt Moore pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Rays to a 9-0 win over the Texas Rangers in Friday's opener of their American League division series in Arlington, Texas.
Kelly Shoppach homered twice and drove in five runs, Johnny Damon also homered and Tampa Bay dominated the whole way thanks mostly to their 22-year-old rookie pitcher.
In Friday's other AL playoff series opener, the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers were tied 1-1 when the game was suspended by rain.
According to a rule adopted by Major League Baseball two years ago, the game is not postponed. Instead, it will pick up today (Shanghai time) at the point of suspension - weather permitting - with the Yankees coming to bat in the second inning.
The delay did mean both teams will likely be without their ace pitchers, who started on Friday. Detroit's Justin Verlander and New York's CC Sabathia were unlikely to resume and may not pitch again in the best-of-five series.
The Rays played for the first time since their dramatic rally on the final day of the regular season, coming back from a seven-run deficit to beat the Yankees in extra innings, and thereby edge the Boston Red Sox for the AL wildcard.
Manager Joe Maddon had no qualms about starting the series with Moore, who made his first start last week at Yankee Stadium and struck out 11 in five scoreless innings.
And just that quickly, Moore has gone from top pitching prospect to postseason star. Facing the AL's top-hitting team, Moore struck out six.
Rookie Brandon Gomes and Wade Davis both pitched a hitless inning in relief to complete the first shutout in Rays postseason history.
Moore, who had thrown only 9 1/3 innings in the majors before this start, took a deep breath before his first pitch. He was the first pitcher to ever start a postseason opener with only one previous career start. He was smiling by the late innings and greeted by hugs in the Rays dugout after he had thrown his last pitch.
Rangers ace CJ Wilson had never lost to the Rays until Friday, when he gave up eight runs (six earned) over five innings. It was his worst outing of the season.
James Shields starta for the Rays against Derek Holland in Game 2.
Kelly Shoppach homered twice and drove in five runs, Johnny Damon also homered and Tampa Bay dominated the whole way thanks mostly to their 22-year-old rookie pitcher.
In Friday's other AL playoff series opener, the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers were tied 1-1 when the game was suspended by rain.
According to a rule adopted by Major League Baseball two years ago, the game is not postponed. Instead, it will pick up today (Shanghai time) at the point of suspension - weather permitting - with the Yankees coming to bat in the second inning.
The delay did mean both teams will likely be without their ace pitchers, who started on Friday. Detroit's Justin Verlander and New York's CC Sabathia were unlikely to resume and may not pitch again in the best-of-five series.
The Rays played for the first time since their dramatic rally on the final day of the regular season, coming back from a seven-run deficit to beat the Yankees in extra innings, and thereby edge the Boston Red Sox for the AL wildcard.
Manager Joe Maddon had no qualms about starting the series with Moore, who made his first start last week at Yankee Stadium and struck out 11 in five scoreless innings.
And just that quickly, Moore has gone from top pitching prospect to postseason star. Facing the AL's top-hitting team, Moore struck out six.
Rookie Brandon Gomes and Wade Davis both pitched a hitless inning in relief to complete the first shutout in Rays postseason history.
Moore, who had thrown only 9 1/3 innings in the majors before this start, took a deep breath before his first pitch. He was the first pitcher to ever start a postseason opener with only one previous career start. He was smiling by the late innings and greeted by hugs in the Rays dugout after he had thrown his last pitch.
Rangers ace CJ Wilson had never lost to the Rays until Friday, when he gave up eight runs (six earned) over five innings. It was his worst outing of the season.
James Shields starta for the Rays against Derek Holland in Game 2.
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