Texas Rangers 8, New York Yankees 0 (Game 3 of the ALCS)

by PegNews wire

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Rangers shut down New York to take 2-1 series lead.

NEW YORK CITY — The Texas Rangers forcibly took Game 3 of the American League Championship Series Monday night, defeating the New York Yankees 8-0 at new Yankees Stadium. The win was Texas' second straight in the series, as they took a 2-1 series lead.

Rangers starter Cliff Lee was once again the story of the night, allowing just two harmless singles and a walk over eight shutout innings. Lee, who may pitch again in a possible Game 7, struck out 13 batters, becoming the first pitcher in major league history to have three 10+ strikeout games in a single postseason. Lee also improved to 7-0 all-time in the playoffs.

His Yankees counterpart, Andy Pettitte, was excellent as well, allowing just two runs on five hits over seven solid innings. Pettitte's only mistake came in the top of the first inning, when Josh Hamilton belted a two-run home run for an early 2-0 lead that would not change until the final inning.

Hamilton also had a hand in turning a tense 2-0 pitcher's duel into an 8-0 blowout in the ninth, leading off the inning with a double to the gap in left-center field. This started a chain reaction where the Rangers scored six times in the top half of the inning, until Hamilton's pop-up to left field mercifully ended it.

Not willing to overuse Lee for a garbage inning, Neftali Feliz pitched a 1-2-3 scoreless ninth to finish the game, striking out former Ranger malcontent Mark Teixeira for the final out.

Several Rangers had big games, but most of the offensive damage came in the final inning. Michael Young was the lone Ranger to put up offensive production before the ninth, going 3-for-5 with a run scored in the first. Mitch Moreland had the knockout blow in the ninth, belting a two-run single that scored Nelson Cruz and David Murphy, turning a 4-0 nailbiter into a 6-0 rout.

Game Four is Tuesday night in New York, where Rangers pitcher Tommy "Big Game" Hunter will likely face troubled Yankees starter A.J. Burnett, or possibly Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia on three day's rest. The Rangers chased Sabathia early in Game One of the series.

Posted by Todd M.

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