Outside of one inning, the Rangers dominated Tampa Bay on Monday, piling up a season-high 20 hits in to open a seven-game road trip with an 11-5 victory.
The Rangers, powered by Mike Napoli's three-run homer in the third inning, scored eight times before the Rays got their first run. It was the first of two home runs for the red-hot Napoli.
Derek Holland got the win despite running into trouble in the sixth inning with a 9-1 lead. Holland gave up three hits, including two home runs, and walked two batters in the sixth. Justin Ruggiano's three-run homer pulled Tampa Bay within 9-5 and chased Holland.
But the bullpen didn't let the Rays get any closer, and the bats kept producing.
Holland (4-1), who ended a streak of six consecutive no-decisions, gave up five runs on five hits with five walks and seven strikeout in 5 2/3 innings. Holland's last decision was an April 22 win over the Royals.
* The Rangers scored five runs in the third inning to build a 7-0 lead. Napoli's three-run shot was followed by Endy Chavez' second home run of the year. Napoli wound up going 3-for-6 with two home runs, a double and five RBIs. He's up to 10 home runs for the year, one behind Adrian Beltre for the team lead.
* Napoli added 30 points to his batting average over the last two games and is now hitting .229. He's homered in each of the last three games.
* Mitch Moreland also homered for the Rangers, a solo shot off a Tropicana Field right-field catwalk in the fourth inning that was his seventh of the year. His batting average is .301 after a 2-for-4 game. He scored three runs.
* The Rangers have hit at least four home runs in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history. In their last four games, three victories and an extra-inning loss, the Rangers have scored 35 runs.
* Every Rangers batter got a hit. Nelson Cruz was the last to join in, doubling with one out in the ninth inning.
* Cruz and David Murphy were the only Rangers without more than one hit. Elvis Andrus, Michael Young, Napoli and Chavez each had three hits.
* The Rangers have won three straight and are 5-2 since Josh Hamilton and Cruz came off the disabled list. It's their first three-game win streak since they swept the Royals on April 22-24.
* Three relievers combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings to close out the game for Texas. Darren Oliver had the biggest role, allowing one hit and striking out three in two innings.
* The Rays committed three errors after not committing more than one in a game all year. Only on of the Rangers' runs, however, was unearned.
* The Rays used seven pitchers. Starter Wade Davis was chased with two outs in the third inning after being tagged for seven runs, six earned, on 11 hits and a walk. His ERA jumped from 3.71 to 4.39.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast Rangers GM Jon Daniels discusses the team's recent struggles, the interest level in Roy Oswalt and more.
Play Podcast Rangers play-by-play voice Eric Nadel says he's not worried about the Rangers lack of offensive production.
Play Podcast Ron Washington breaks down Matt Harrison's consistency, has no regrets about resting his players and says he isn't concerned over Yu Darvish's rough start.
Play Podcast Rangers outfielder David Murphy talks about his inside-the-park home run, Yu Darvish's last start and more.
Play Podcast Rangers president Nolan Ryan comments on Neftali Feliz's injury, the club's interest in Roy Oswalt, re-signing Josh Hamilton and more.
Play Podcast Ben and Skin discuss the three most important figures for the Rangers, Mavs, and Cowboys. Who is the most vital to the ultimate success of each organization?
TEAM LEADERS
| BA LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Josh Hamilton
|
|||||||||||
| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| HR | J. Hamilton | 18 | ||||||||||
| RBI | J. Hamilton | 49 | ||||||||||
| R | I. Kinsler | 36 | ||||||||||
| OPS | J. Hamilton | 1.187 | ||||||||||
| W | Y. Darvish | 6 | ||||||||||
| ERA | Y. Darvish | 3.05 | ||||||||||
| SO | Y. Darvish | 63 | ||||||||||






You must be signed in to post a comment