Give credit to the Anaheim Angles. With the Texas Rangers riding a 12-game winning streak heading into Wednesday night's game, it looked like the defending AL champions were going to run away with the AL West and not look back. Then on Wednesday the Angels squeak out a 9-8 win to snap Texas's streak at 12 and cut the deficit to four games. The Angels then took the rubber game of the series on Thursday night by a score of 1-0 to inch within three games of first place heading into the weekend.
Rangers starter C.J. Wilson was brilliant Thursday night. He tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just 2 hits and one walk while striking out 8 Angels batters. The lone Angels run crossed the plate by way of a Rangers fielding error in the 2nd inning. Only problem was Jared Weaver was even better. Well, not really, but he was plenty good. Weaver threw 7 innings of shutout ball himself, allowing 7 meaningless hits while walking two and fanning to improve his record to 13-4 on the year.
Quick history lesson: Wilson became th first Rangers pitcher in the last 25 years to pitch a complete game shutout and allow two or fewer hits. Not necessarily a record you want under your belt, though the free-spirited Wilson is not the type to get cranky with his usually complimentary offense for their off night at the plate. The feat was not just rare for Rangers pitchers. No pitcher in baseball has suffered a similarly cruel feat in the last 15 years.
The Rangers are currently in action at The Ballpark In Arilington, leading 2-0 in the 4th inning over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Listen to Wilson's interview with Ben & Skin on ESPN Radio Dallas to hear his take on the tough luck loss he suffered Thursday night. Or, read a transcription of Wilson's Friday interview compliments of SportsRadioInterviews.