Colby Lewis Terrific In Rangers’ World Series Game 3 Win Over Giants

The Rangers were put in a difficult situation coming into Game 3. Though they were able to return home, where they're a far more comfortable and successful team, they were behind 2-0 in the World Series and as much in need of a win as any team can be in a non-elimination game. That, and they were still a few turns away from being able to hand the ball to Cliff Lee. They had to put their trust into Colby Lewis, who's been an effective starter, but not always a reliable one.

He was reliable Saturday night. Fresh off the gem that he threw in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Yankees, he came out in Game 3 and spun another one, allowing just two runs over 7.2 innings against a lineup that had shredded Rangers pitchers for 20 runs over the first two games of the series.

Lewis hit a bit of a rough spot in the beginning, when a single and a walk put two runners on with two out in the top of the first. He'd get out of it when he whiffed Pat Burrell, though, and from that point on, he'd rip off as dominant a stretch as any he's had all season. Beginning with Burrell, Lewis retired 16 of the next 19 batters he'd face, keeping the Giants off the board while his lineup built him a four-run lead.

Lewis began to wear down towards the end - Cody Ross hit a homer in the seventh, and in the eighth, Andres Torres homered, Freddy Sanchez ripped a liner, and Aubrey Huff got beaned - but Lewis managed to minimize the damage and gave the Rangers more than they could've asked for. He helped to spare the bullpen, and he's the biggest reason this isn't a 3-0 series.