The Rangers just went through the eighth inning from hell. As we already mentioned, C.J. Wilson was pulled with a man on second and nobody out, having allowed an RBI double. Unfortunately for him and unfortunately for Texas, things were only getting started. To review:
Rangers Vs. Yankees, ALCS Game 1: Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano Key Huge Yankee Rally
- Darren Oliver pitches to Nick Swisher, walks him
- Darren Oliver pitches to Mark Teixeira, walks him
- Darren O'Day pitches to Alex Rodriguez, allows first-pitch two-run single
- Clay Rapada pitches to Robinson Cano, allows first-pitch game-tying single
- Josh Hamilton makes error, allows Rodriguez to advance to third
- Derek Holland pitches to Marcus Thames, allows broken-bat go-ahead single
Holland would slam the door after that, retiring the final three hitters he faced. However, seven consecutive Yankees reached base, scoring five runs and taking an astonishing 6-5 lead. The five pitchers used by Ron Washington tied an ALCS all-time record for pitchers used in an inning.
What was quite recently a 5-0 near-blowout is now a late one-run deficit, and the Rangers are now in a position where they need to score a run here in the eighth if they don't want to go up against Mariano Rivera while trailing.
Kerry Wood is coming out of the Yankee bullpen to start the bottom half.
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