Texas Rangers Make a Comeback, But Pitching Fails in the Ninth

Down 11-0 after five innings, the Rangers and Arlington Stadium were left with long faces. Instead of shutting down, though, the Rangers roared back to life and came up just short of one of the biggest comebacks in Rangers history.

However, a seven-run ninth inning by the Blue Jays would be more than enough to hold off the Rangers and steal the first of four games, 18-10.

The high-scoring affair didn’t include the Rangers until the bottom of the fifth inning, when their bats were starting to wake up.

Texas (72-58) had only two hits by the fifth inning. After watching the Blue Jays (59-70) score in four of the first five innings, including five runs in the first inning and four in the fourth, the Rangers' lead-off batter reach base for the first time.

Left fielder David Murphy scored two batters later on first baseman Chris Davis’ single to left. Shortstop Elvis Andrus moved a runner over to third and was able to beat out the throw at first to avoid the double-play.

Next, second baseman Ian Kinsler unloaded the bases with a triple to right, making it an 11-3 game. The scoring continued with third baseman Michael Young hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in Kinsler.

The Rangers had gotten four and with two outs and no base runners; they had at least made a dent in Toronto’s lead.

Center fielder Josh Hamilton reached on an infield single to third base, and right fielder Marlon Byrd singled out to left, moving Hamilton to second.

DH Nelson Cruz had a runner in scoring position but was done 0-2 in the count. No sweat off of his back, as he sent Bret Cecil’s 0-2 pitch over the wall in left field and now the Rangers were back in the game 11-7.

The Rangers added two more runs in the inning and then one more in the bottom of the seventh, now only down by one, 11-10.

But, the Rangers went three up and three down in the bottom of the eighth inning and their pitching had some hiccups in the top of the ninth.

It started with Jason Grilli giving up a solo shot to Lind in right field. It was Lind’s second home run and fifth RBI of the game.  First baseman Kevin Millar doubled to left, Vernon Wells hit a second straight double, scoring pinch runner Travis Snider.

Pedro Strop then came in for the Rangers in relief of Grilli, but the runs would keep coming for Toronto.

Strop got two quick outs, but then walked Bautista. That small opening was all the Blue Jays would need to add five more runs. A single scored Wells, who was on second after getting a double off of Grilli.

Scutaro was then given the free pass and the same for second baseman Aaron Hill. Hill’s walk came with the bases loaded and Bautista trotted across home plate.

As if a 15-10, 4-run top of the ninth wasn’t enough for the Blue Jays, Lind, who already had five RBIs, doubled to right, adding the three and final runs of the game. Strop struck out Snider for the third out, but the Blue Jays had added seven more giving them a comfortable 18-10 lead with just one-half inning left to play.

On the hill to start the game for the Rangers was 22-year-old Derek Holland (7-9). Holland, who was coming off six innings pitched, six earned runs, and two home runs against the New York Yankees last Wednesday, put the Rangers in a 5-0 hole after the first inning.

It was former Rangers catcher Rod Barajas who provided big damage in the first, hitting his first of two home runs off Holland in the top of the inning. Before giving up a three-run home run to Barajas, Holland had already surrendered two runs.

After his first three pitches of the game he gave up his first run after second baseman Aaron Hill doubled to deep left, who later scored for Toronto’s second run.

Holland walked DH Randy Ruiz on five pitches, setting the stage for Barajas with Blue Jay teammates on first and second base. Barajas, with his upper-cut style swing, got a hanger, put it in the stands, and gave Toronto five runs.

Holland settled down after giving up the blast, he retired Jose Bautista to finally end the top-half of the first and retired the next eight of nine batters before giving up a one out triple to Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells.

Holland, with his back against the wall and the Rangers still trailing 5-0, were at the mercy of Toronto.

The Blue Jays did not put together the same outburst of scoring like they did in the first, but Barajas did hit a sacrifice fly to score Wells from third to make it a 6-0 score after three.

In the fourth, it was déjà vu all over again for Holland, another big home run, only this time it was a grand salami.

Holland began the fourth by giving up a single to left.  He followed this by plunking a batter, and then gave up another single to left. Left fielder Adam Lind stepped into the batter’s box with a chance to add to Toronto’s cushion.

Holland continued to hurt himself by falling behind in the count, two balls and no strikes. Lind swung and missed on third pitch, but then saw ball three after that, and left with a hitter’s count.

Lind did what you’re supposed to do with a hitter’s count.

He saw his pitch and tattooed it over the wall in left center. Rangers’ manager Ron Washington got off of his seat on the bench and ended the night for Holland. He lasted only three innings, giving up seven hits, two home runs, and 10 earned runs.

Toronto had two players finish with huge offensive nights. Barajas had two home runs and five RBI, while Lind had two home runs and eight RBI.

Tomorrow’s double-header starts at 5:05 ET from Arlington.