Rangers @ Devil Rays (May 15th-17th)

[Molina00]

Game 1 Recap
Coming off a 7-2 loss to the Angels in which Kevin Millwood didn't make it out of the 2nd inning, the Rangers needed a good performance from their starter, and that's what they got. Brandon McCarthy, who has generally struggled this year, pitched 6 innings allowing 3 runs and striking out 7 Devil Ray batters. McCarthy matched TB starter James Shields who also allowed 3 runs, although he pitched 8 innings. One of the Rangers 3 runs off Shields came courtesy of a Hank Blalock homerun in the 5th, his 5th homerun of the season. That homerun helped a 5th inning rally that tied that game at 3. The Ranger pen was solid with Benoit pitching 2 scoreless and Otsuka pitching 1 scoreless, but the D-Ray pen also pitched scoreless ball keeping the game tied at 3 through 9 innings, meaning an extra inning game. Scott Feldman pitching the 10th for Texas and it was a disaster. He allowed a run on 2 hits and 2 walks without ever registering an out and the Devil Rays went on to win the game 4-3.

[Molina00]

Game 2 Recap
The Rangers came into yesterday's game looking to snap a losing streak, and when Vicente Padilla is on the mound that is never a good sign. Padilla continued his struggles this season lasting only 4 innings and getting hammered for 8 runs on 12 hits as he fell to 1-6 on the season and his ERA shot up to 5.77.

Tampa Bay starter Casey Fossum did not pitch very well either allowing 6 runs on 9 hits over 5 innings, including 3 homeruns allowed. The homeruns were a solo shot from Victor Diaz the 4th, and 2-run shots from Sammy Sosa and Mark Teixeira in the 4th and 5th innings respectively. After the homerun barrage against Fossum, Texas held a 6-4 lead, but the Devil Rays combined for 6 run against Padilla and reliever A.J. Murray in the bottom of the 5th to take the lead for good 10-6. Texas tried to mount a rally scoring runs in the 7th and 8th but ultimately lost their 3rd straight game 11-8.