Battle for the Silver Boot: Part 1 (May 18th-20th)

[Molina00]

Game 1 Recap
The Rangers started off their annual battle for the silver boot with the Astros in fine fashion. Excellent starting pitching and a big 3rd inning led Texas to a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros in the first game of the series.

In his first start since May 9th, Robinson Tejeda allowed just 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 6 Astros over 5 innings of work for the win improving to 4-3 on the season. The middle relief was shaky with Feldman and Francisco giving up 3 runs over 3 innings to create a save situation for Erig Gagne. Gagne struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th to notch his 2nd save of the season.

The bulk of the Rangers offense came in the 3rd innings when they put 5 runs on the board. Largely in part to a 2-run homerun from Nelson Cruz, his 2nd blast of the year, followed immediately by a solo shot from Ramon Vazquez, his 1st homerun as a Ranger.

Rookie Matt Albers started for Houston and was tagged for both homeruns and all 5 Ranger runs allowed in the 3rd. He was pulled after finishing the 5 run third inning and took the loss to fall to 1-3 on the season.

[Molina00]

Game 2 Recap
Game 2 was the complete opposite of game 1 for Texas. In game 1 the Rangers had the excellent starting pitching and the big inning, but in game 2 it was the Astros turn.

Wandy Rodriguez made the start for Houston and dominated the Rangers allowing just 1 run and striking out 7 over 6 innings of work.

John Koronka made his season debut for Texas going 5 innings and giving up 3 runs on 6 hits for the loss. Not a lot to say about the Rangers offense in this one. Kinsler went 2 for 4 and stole his 6th base of the year, Young hit his 14th double, and Nellie Cruz drove in the Rangers only run of the game.

On the Astros side, Craig Biggio had 2 hits leaving him just 30 short of 3000 for his career.

The battle for the boot is now tied at a game a piece with the Astros holding a 10-8 lead in the runs scored department, which is the tie-breaker in case the season series ends up tied.

[Molina00]

Game 3 Recap
The Rangers finished off the Astros in grand Texas fashion clubbing 6 homeruns and crushing Houston 14-1 in the series finale.

Brandon McCarthy made the start for Texas going 6 innings giving up just 1 run on 4 hits to improve to 4-4 on the season. After a horrible April, McCarthy is now 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 4 starts in May.

Mark Teixeira and Victor Diaz led the offense both getting 4 hits, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI and hitting 2 homeruns each. Ramon Vazuez had a huge game as well going a perfect 3 for 3, walking twice, homering, and driving in 5 runs. Kenny Lofton also contributed his 4th homerun of the year, his only hit of the game, along with stealing his 14th base of the season.

The Rangers now lead the season series 2-1 and lead the Astros in runs scored 22-11.