Texas Back in the Fall Classic
For the second straight year the Texas Rangers win the American League pennant and are on their way to the World Series. The Rangers' bats came to life and they ended the series with a 15-5 routing of the Detroit Tigers.
The story of the night became Texas' huge nine-run third inning. After the Tigers put up two runs on two solo homers by Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta, the Rangers mercilessly knocked in runs all night.
It all unraveled for Max Scherzer in the third inning after, what appeared to be, a blown call from the first base umpire. With already a 3-2 lead and Nelson Cruz batting with two strikes, Cruz appeared to have crossed the bat through the strike zone on what should have been strike three. It was not called a strike and the bases were loaded.
The Rangers tallied six more runs in that inning totaling nine in one inning. Michael Young, who broke out of his funk, had four runs batter in on two doubles in the third inning alone. The seven-time all star finished the day 3-6 with a homer and five RBI.
In almost a perfect ending, Nelson Cruz capped the Rangers scoring in the seventh inning with a 2-run homer. His 6 HR 13 RBI set the postseason series record for the most totaled by any player in a single series.
Cruz was awarded was named the Most Valuable Player after his record setting performance. His homers came at crucial points in this series. None bigger than his game winning grandslam in game two.
The runner up for the MVP would have been the Texas bullpen. With their collective effort they won all four games in the series. Alexis Ogando, who won last nights game, had two W's, Scott Feldman and Mike Adams had the other two.
The Texas bullpen has been the second bullpen to win all four games of a postseason series. The 1997 Cleveland Indians were the other team to perform this feat.
Now the Rangers await for the winner between the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. The wild card winning Cardinals are just a win away from earning their way to the world series.
Since the National League won the All-Star game, Texas will host games 3-4-5 in Arlington Ballpark. The Rangers get another crack at the World Series while Neftali Feliz and Mike Napoli will also get chance to perfect their game clinching celebration.
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