With the Rangers’ division lead over the Angels down to two games and facing a tough pitching matchup on Wednesday, they needed a big performance from their ace. They got it. C.J. Wilson shut down the Rays for the second time in a week, this time spinning a complete game shutout. He allowed five hits and walked three, and he managed to induce four double-plays.
After scoring just one run in the ninth inning off of James Shields the night before, the Rangers offense made Wilson’s pitching stand up, chasing Jeff Niemann after just 4.2 innings and totaling eight runs off of a tough Rays staff. David Murphy continued his incredible late season run with a 4-4 night that included two doubles and his ninth home run of the season.
Texas will sent Derek Holland to the mound Wednesday to face David Price in a matchup of two of the hardest throwing lefties in the league. Price has struck out 25 batters in his past two starts, while Holland has allowed just one total run in his past two. The Rangers will be looking for their fourth straight series win, all against teams with winning records. First pitch will be at “getaway day” time – 12:10 CDT.