(Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers try to draw even with the San Francisco Giants this evening when they play Game 4 of the World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
World Series Game 4, Giants Vs. Rangers: Tommy Hunter, Texas Look To Draw Even
After giving up 20 runs in losing the first two games of this series, Texas rebounded in Game 3, as Colby Lewis pitched into the eighth inning and Mitch Moreland and Josh Hamilton homered to lead the Rangers to a 4-2 win.
Lewis (1-0) delivered in a key spot by yielding five hits and two runs while fanning six over 7 2/3 frames. The right-hander moved to 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four starts this postseason.
“I feel very fortunate to be on this stage really, like everybody says. I was in a Japan for the last two years not thinking I would have this opportunity,” Lewis said. “But I’m here, trying to make the most of it, and it’s just a great feeling to be back here to have this big of a following, and like I said, to do it on this stage.”
Neftali Feliz fanned two batters in a 1-2-3 ninth to get his first save of the postseason.
Cody Ross and Andres Torres homered for the Giants, who had the potential tying run at the plate in the eighth.
Jonathan Sanchez (0-1) was removed after giving up six hits and the four runs in 4 2/3 frames.
Tonight, the Rangers turn to righty Tommy Hunter, who is 0-1 in two starts this postseason with a 6.14 ERA. Hunter hasn't pitched since Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees back on October 19. He did not get a decision in that one, but allowed three runs and five hits in just 3 1/3 frames.
“It’s pretty important,” said Hunter, who was 13-4 in the regular season. “It’s an important time of year. This is what you’ve played your whole life for. But inside the lines, nothing has changed. It’s all outside the lines when things change. It’s still a baseball game. The plate is still 60 feet, 6 inches away from the plate, basepath is 90 feet. Nothing changes. It’s baseball. That’s the best time of day for us. Once you get in between the lines.”
Hunter has never faced the Giants, but was 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA in three interleague starts this season.
San Francisco, meanwhile, will rely on rookie left-hander Madison Bumgarner, who has pitched to a 3.55 ERA in the playoffs. Bumgarner threw two scoreless innings of relief in the Giants' NLCS clincher last Saturday , but hasn't started a game since October 20.
“I’ve seen enough from Madison to know that he’s not going to beat himself,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “I mean, for 21 years old, it’s impressive how he’s carried himself.”
However, of the 40 teams leading 2-1 that have lost Game 4 to even the Series, 2-2, only 18 have gone on to win the Series. The last to do that was the Angels in 2002, against, of course, the Giants.
While the Rangers are enjoying the first real postseason run in the team’s 50- year franchise history, the Giants are no stranger to the World Series and are making their 18th appearance. However, this is just the team’s fourth trip to the Fall Classic since moving to San Francisco in 1958.
Game 5 of this series will take place on Monday in Arlington.
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