Ian Kinsler put the Rangers on top of the Rays on the second pitch of the game. No more damage was done, and in the bottom half of the first, the Rays were given a chance to respond against Matt Harrison. They tried really hard, too. But they didn't. At least, they didn't in the way that they were hoping to.
Rays vs. Rangers: Adrian Beltre Extends Texas Lead
Desmond Jennings led off with a base hit, which was promising. The next two batters made outs, but then Jennings advanced to second on Ben Zobrist's single into right. With two on and two out, Johnny Damon was in position to make a statement, but the statement he made was feeble, as Harrison jammed him and Damon knocked a weak roller up the first base line.
To the second we went, and for the second straight inning, Jeremy Hellickson made a leadoff mistake. This time, it was to Adrian Beltre, to whom Hellickson threw a 1-and-0 belt-high fastball over the inner half. Beltre turned on it and sent another blast into the left field stands for the Rangers' second solo homer in two innings.
It was also the first playoff home run of Beltre’s career. He hadn’t been in the playoffs since 2004. The more you know!
Hellickson survived the rest of the inning, erasing a baserunner with a double play, but now it’s 2-0 Texas, and the Rays are up against it.
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