Friday, June 27, 2008

Texas Rangers 8, Philadelphia Phillies 7

By Pegasus News wire

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers survived an early-game grand slam Friday night, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The win pushed the Rangers slightly over the .500 mark once again, as they now sit at 41-40.

Photo not provided by the Philadelphia Phillies

Hey, no problem, apparently

Rangers starter Kason Gabbard had another subpar day, giving up six runs in three-plus innings of work. Most of the damage came in the top of the third inning, when Gabbard allowed five runs to score, including a grand slam, after committing an error himself to keep the Phillies' inning alive. Gabbard walked five and struck out four while giving up four hits.

Gabbard was relieved by Josh Rupe, who pitched two-plus innings of scoreless, hitless relief and was credited with the win. C.J. Wilson was once again roughed up in the top of the ninth, giving up a solo home run and two other hits before escaping the inning with his 17th save.

The Rangers poured hits over the slumping Philly pitching staff, collecting 12 hits, three home runs and six walks. Ian Kinsler was the star of the show, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Kinsler led the game off with yet another leadoff homerun, his 13th home run of the season, while also managing to steal his 20th base later in the bottom of the eighth. Kinsler --who also had a walk-- is now hitting .313 on the year.

Prospect Chris Davis, playing in just his second game, launched a two-run, two-out home run in the bottom of the third to bring the Rangers back into the game. Davis, who last night went 1-for-1, is now hitting a Chipper Jones-esque .400 on the season.

Rangers sluggers Milton Bradley and Josh Hamilton also seemed to get back to their usual form, with Bradley going 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the fifth, and Hamilton chipping in with a pair of RBIs to raise his major league-leading total to 78.

Posted by Todd M.

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