A day after a masterful performance by Matt Garza in a shut out of the Texas Rangers, Rangers pitchers exchange the favor shutting out the Rays 3-0. Ranger pitcher Matt Harrison looked equally impressive shutting down the Rays bats for 8 innings. Their closer, Guardado, held the shut out intact while gaining the save in the 9th.
The only offense the Rays could muster was a HR distance shot by Ben Zobrist that would have tied the game. The ball was brought back in the park engulfed in leather worn by former Devil Ray Josh Hamilton. Other than that the Rays were held silent collecting only 3 hits and 1 walk while giving up 8 K’s.
Shame too because Edwin Jackson really pitched well. He gave up a lead off HR to Ian Kinsler on the first pitch he threw but other than that he scattered 4 additional hits over 6 innings. When E-Jax left the game the score was 1-0. JP Howell followed E-Jax and allowed 2 additional runs on 3 hits.
And no, I do not believe the score would have been any different had BJ Upton played the game. His absence made no difference in this outcome. The difference was Matt Harrison for the Rangers. Just as Matt Garza had been the difference the previous night. Good pitching beats good hitting and that was the difference tonight plain and simple. The rubber game of this series has the Rays sending Scott Kazmir to toe the rubber with aim at securing another series victory.
