Rays' rookie mystifies Rangers in ALDS opener

Tampa Bay needed a late-season surge to edge Boston out of the playoffs. Apparently, they are still feeling the momentum while the Rangers' hot streak came to a screeching halt in Game 1 of the ALDS.

C.J. Wilson took the ball on three days' rest, and I pray we never have him do that again.  After a nine-pitch first, he gave up three runs each in the 2nd and 3rd innings.  He needed 103 pitches to get through five innings, and in that time, he surrendered eight runs (including six earned) on seven hits.  Three of those hits were home runs.  And two of those home runs were off the bat of Kelly Shoppach.  

The Rangers' offense appeared to be a bit tired as well.  They just couldn't seem to figure out the Rays rookie, Matt Moore, who was making just his second major league start.  They managed just four hits, two of which belonged to Josh Hamilton.  Twice, Texas had lead-off runners, but couldn't do much with it.  Even when we were down 8-0 in the 6th, I had a sliver of hope when Elvis Andrus worked a lead-off walk.  But then Hamilton, with two hits on his ledger, decided to bunt.  Wait ... what?  I still don't understand it.  After the Rangers blew that inning, I knew the game was done.

Blech.  It's one of those games I think I'm glad I didn't see.  Listening was bad enough.

 

KISS: Scott Feldman.  Three innings of work.  Four strikeouts.  I'll take it.

MISS:  C.J. Wilson.  I expected more out of this team's ace.

 

FINAL SCORE

Rays :: 9 R, 11 H, 6 TLOB

Rangers :: 0 R, 4 H, 1 E, 5 TLOB

 

Saturday's match-up

@ 6:07 p.m. CST

Derek Holland (16-5, 3.95 ERA) vs. James Shields (16-12, 2.82 ERA)