The Texas Rangers took down the Tampa Bay Rays in a close match on Monday, with tons of offense in the first half of the game and solid bullpen work in the second en route to a 6-5 victory.
Neither starting pitcher put together his best performance, with all 11 runs in the game coming by the time the fifth inning had ended.
Tampa Bay's David Price lasted only four of those innings, being pulled after giving up 10 hits and six runs. Adrian Beltre hit him the hardest, with four RBI on a home run, a double and a single. Nelson Cruz and Mike Olt provided the other runs for the Rangers, which proved to be enough.
Derek Holland managed to stay in the game for six innings after allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out five Rays. The bullpen led by Joe Nathan kept the Rays at bay for the rest of the evening, enough to seal Holland's ninth win of the season.
Game 2 of the series on Tuesday will see a strong pitching match-up as Yu Darvish faces James Shields.
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