Sport DFW
FanSided

Rangers Morning News: Texas Back Within 2 Games In AL West

By Christian Blood

facebooktwitterreddit

126. 1. 102. Final. 2

The Texas Rangers got another stellar performance from pitcher Derek Holland in a critical 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles in Anaheim on Saturday night.

The Texas Rangers rebounded from Friday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Angels with a 2-1 victory.

The bats brought to the west coast by the Texas Rangers are rather quiet in Anaheim, California, but the pitching has managed to keep the sticks belonging to the Los Angeles Angels quiet, at least for now.

More from Texas Rangers

Following Friday night’s setback in the opener of a three-game set against L.A., the Rangers held on for a 2-1 win on Saturday night to move back to within just two games of the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West.

Texas also kept the Angels from pushing closer to the second Wild Card spot in the AL post-season race.

The Rangers maintain a 1.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins, who lost to Houston.

Lefty Derek Holland pitched eight innings while allowing just three hits. He’s thrown some 229 pitches in his last two outings, this after spending much of the season on the disabled list. In his last start, Holland fired a three-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News captured the following from Holland regarding is extensive time inactive over the past two seasons.

"It has helped me for sure. I think it’s helped my mentality more than anything. I’m more focused. I’m a better pitcher than I was before."

That seems to be the case.

For a team that lost staff ace Yu Darvish before the season started, and then Holland right after it began, Holland’s recent performances have injected some serious optimism that the Rangers could have exactly what they need to make the postseason and forget last year’s abysmal campaign.

The Rangers play the rubber-match between the Angels this afternoon as they try to advance to within one game of first place.

Rangers News From Around The Internet

Derek Holland Wins Pitchers Duel As Rangers Even Series (Nolan Writin’ – Josh McSwain)

Derek Holland‘s three-hitter over eight innings has the Rangers poised to win another series during its 10-game road trip on the west coast. McSwain offers full recap of Saturday night’s contest.

Thoughts On A 2-1 Rangers Win (Lone Star Ball: SB Nation – Adam J. Morris)

Morris discusses Texas’ narrow 2-1 win over the Angels. He discusses Holland’s performance, Tolleson’s gutsy performance in the ninth inning, and also why Bannister did not pinch hit for catcher Bobby Wilson with the bases loaded.

Is Calling Up Jooey Gallo A Mistake? (SportDFW – Christian Blood)

Recent hitting struggles for the young slugger began just after his first stint with the Rangers back in June. Those struggles appear to be well-intact as manager Jeff Banister offers Joey Gallo another opportunity to help the team during the most critical time of the year.

Josh Hamilton Assumes Different Role With Rangers (Nolan Writin’ – Josh McSwain)

Long known for his ability to do it all, power-hitter Josh Hamilton has assumed a different role with the Rangers down the stretch. Hamilton is not likely to play the field for the remainder of the season, but he will contribute at the plate as his mere presence and World Series experience is a welcomed element.

Jake Diekman Gutting Out Ulcerative Colitis, Helping Kids (Dallas Morning News – Evan Grant)

If you think that Rangers reliever Jake Diekman‘s stomach turns because of his job as a major league relief pitcher, consider the fact that there’s more going on in his gut than just runners in scoring position that he didn’t place there.

Next: Texas A&M: Aggies Beat Arizona State In Houston

More from Sports Dallas Fort-Worth

  • Published on 09/06/2015 at 14:33 PM
  • Last updated at 09/06/2015 at 14:53 PM
Home/Texas Rangers