I was at this game, thanks to some tickets left for me, and wow were they awesome. About 6 or 7 rows behind the Pirates dugout.
This game, like a lot of Rangers games were powered by the longball, although the biggest one by a player not known for that. But before we get there, I needed to talk a little about the Pirates. Their starter was Ross Ohlendorf, and much like a pitcher from another league you don’t have the most info on, he befuddled the Rangers through the first three innings. Ross O had a no hitter going through the first three innings. Went into the fourth when Andrus didn’t get a hit. But Michael Young adjusted, and jacked a solo home run into the Rangers bullpen for what was then a score of 2-1 Buccos. In the next inning, though, Josh Hamilton doubled to lead off the inning. Nelson Cruz, fresh back from the DL, grounded out, moving Hamilton to third. Smoak popped out and Matt Treanor walked. Up came Julio Borbon who jacked a three run home run into the right field bleachers. That gave us a 4-2 lead at the time, and we didn’t look back.
Josh Hamilton added a home run in the bottom of the sixth to go with the other two home runs. Nelson Cruz added a sac fly in the bottom of the 8th and we won the game 6-3.
Ross Ohlendorf fell to 0-6, which isn’t as bad of a record as Kevin Millwood has at the moment (1-8). Tommy Hunter started for the Rangers, and got the win behind a technical quality start. Didn’t walk anyone, but did give up nine hits in his six innings. He gave up three runs, but one was unearned (Smoak threw a ball away going home with it).
While I don’t seem to be writing a lot about this game, I did have a good time going. Was great going with a friend who I don’t have to “dumb down” talking about baseball with, so that was nice. Thanks Jeff!
This is the Rangers ninth win in a row. w00t!