(Image courtesy of flickr.com user Keith Allison.)

It’s funny how a game can go from being the most boring thing ever to super exciting with 1 swing of the bat.  Thank you, Craig Gentry.

Yet again, Matt Harrison pitched a gem of a game, going 8 innings, allowing 8 hits, 2 runs (both earned), walking 1 and striking out 7.  And it seemed that yet again, the offense wasn’t going to show up for poor Harry.

In the 2nd inning, the Rangers missed out on a huge opportunity to get on the board early.  Bases loaded and 1 out.  Mike Napoli at the plate.  Strike out.  Followed quickly by Leonys Martin lining out.  *Sigh*

Fast forward to the 7th.  2 on, 1 out.  Napoli at the plate…  You guessed it!  Strike out, and Martin grounds out.  *Groan*  Guys, I’m seeing a pattern.

Thankfully, the boys took advantage of some shaky Athletics relief pitching in the 8th.  With 1 out, Elvis Andrus singled and promptly stole 2nd.  Walks to Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, and Nelson Cruz would result in the Rangers first run of the night.  A triple by Craig Gentry would make the score 4-2.

Tanner Scheppers came in to close things out in the 9th, his first major league save opportunity.  Minus that solo home run to Carter, a pretty great outing by Scheppers, who earned his first major league save.

FINAL: Rangers 4, Athletics 3