by PegNews wire

Texas completes the home sweep of one of the AL East's best teams.

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers completed an unlikely sweep Sunday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The win was the fifth straight for the suddenly-surging Rangers, who improved to 45-35 and maintained a tie for first place in the AL West.

Rangers starter Scott Feldman continued his terrific season, allowing just two runs -- one of them earned -- on three hits over six solid innings. Feldman, who also walked four batters, saw his record rise to 7-2 with a 3.91 ERA. Jason Jennings, C.J. Wilson, and Frank Francisco pitched perfectly in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings for the win.

The Rangers were able to score using small-ball, with three sacrifice flies and only two extra-base hits, both doubles. David Murphy went 3-for-3 with a run-scoring sacrifice fly, while Marlon Byrd went 1-for-2 with a walk, a sacrifice and two RBI. Ian Kinsler went 0-for-4 but still managed to score twice.

Posted by Todd M.