AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">TAMPA BAY (1) VS TEXAS (9) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS TAMPA BAY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Gomes lf 5 0 3 1 0 1 1 .264 C Crawford dh 5 0 0 0 0 2 5 .315 B Upton cf 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 .325 C Pena 1b 3 0 0 0 1 1 4 .268 D Young rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .298 B Harris 2b 2 0 0 0 2 1 1 .296 J Wilson 3b 4 1 2 0 0 2 2 .285 D Navarro c 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .209 B Zobrist ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .165 Totals 32 1 8 1 5 11 23 BATTING: 2B - J Gomes (12, W Eyre); B Upton (20, W Eyre). RBI - J Gomes (34). 2-out RBI - J Gomes. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Pena 3, C Crawford 2, D Young 2. Team LOB - 13. BASERUNNING: SB - J Gomes (5, 2nd base off K Gabbard/J Saltalamacchia). FIELDING: DP: 2 (B Harris-B Zobrist-C Pena 2). TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg F Catalanotto lf 5 0 1 1 0 0 3 .251 I Kinsler 2b 4 1 1 2 1 0 1 .252 M Young ss 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .305 A Melhuse 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230 M Byrd cf 4 1 2 2 1 0 0 .316 B Wilkerson 1b 4 1 2 1 1 1 2 .232 J Botts dh 4 1 2 1 0 0 4 .233 J Saltalamacchia c 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .182 R Vazquez 3b-ss 3 1 1 0 1 0 3 .243 D Murphy rf 4 3 3 1 0 0 1 .556 Totals 36 9 14 9 5 3 15 BATTING: 2B - D Murphy 3 (4, J Hammel, D Wheeler, J Switzer); M Byrd (13, J Hammel); J Botts (2, J Switzer); I Kinsler (16, D Wheeler). 3B - F Catalanotto (3, J Hammel). HR - M Young (6, 5th inning off J Hammel 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - M Byrd 2 (43), F Catalanotto (34), M Young (63), B Wilkerson (50), J Botts (5), D Murphy (1), I Kinsler 2 (41). 2-out RBI - F Catalanotto, D Murphy. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Wilkerson 1, R Vazquez 1, F Catalanotto 1, I Kinsler 1. GIDP - J Botts 2. Team LOB - 8. BASERUNNING: SB - I Kinsler (14, 2nd base off J Hammel/D Navarro). FIELDING: DP: 1 (B Wilkerson-M Young). ---------------------------------------------------- TAMPA BAY - 000 000 01 -- 1 TEXAS - 002 140 02 -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- TAMPA BAY ip h r er bb so hr era J Hammel 4 7 5 5 4 1 1 6.63 J Switzer 1 3 2 2 0 1 0 17.18 B Stokes 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 7.47 D Wheeler 1 3 2 2 1 0 0 9.64 TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Gabbard 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.83 W Eyre 3 2/3 4 0 0 3 2 0 4.68 W Littleton 1 2/3 1 0 0 2 4 0 4.39 F Francisco 1 1/3 2 1 1 0 3 0 4.79 J Hammel pitched to 2 batters in the 5th. WP - F Francisco 2. HBP - B Zobrist (by W Littleton). Pitches-strikes: J Hammel 91-51; J Switzer 30-21; B Stokes 22-13; D Wheeler 36-21; K Gabbard 18-12; W Eyre 64-33; W Littleton 38-22; F Francisco 25-19. Ground balls-fly balls: J Hammel 7-4; J Switzer 0-2; B Stokes 4-1; D Wheeler 2-1; K Gabbard 1-1; W Eyre 6-2; W Littleton 1-0; F Francisco 0-2. Batters faced: J Hammel 22; J Switzer 6; B Stokes 6; D Wheeler 7; K Gabbard 5; W Eyre 17; W Littleton 9; F Francisco 7. UMPIRES: HP--Dana Demuth. 1B--Rob Drake. 2B--Angel Campos. 3B--Doug Eddings. Weather: 98 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, in from center.</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: N Cruz in right field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 1 TEXAS 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: B Upton (.325, 1-FOR-2)</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: D Murphy in left field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 1 TEXAS 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: B Upton (.325, 1-FOR-2)</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - PITCHING CHANGE TEX: JOAQUIN BENOIT (5-3, 2.79) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 1, TEXAS 9 DUE UP FOR TAMPABAY: B UPTON (.325, 1-FOR-2)</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Benoit relieved F Francisco. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 1 TEXAS 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: B Upton (.325, 1-FOR-2)</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TAMPA BAY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 8 0 TEXAS 0 0 2 1 4 0 0 2 x 9 14 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TAM - JASON HAMMEL, JON SWITZER (5TH), BRIAN STOKES (6TH), DAN WHEELER (8TH) AND DIONER NAVARRO TEX - KASON GABBARD, WILLIE EYRE (2ND), WES LITTLETON (6TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (7TH), JOAQUIN BENOIT (9TH) AND JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA HOME RUNS: TAM - NONE TEX - MICHAEL YOUNG (6) OFF JASON HAMMEL IN THE 5TH, 0 ON</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TAMPA BAY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 8 0 TEXAS 0 0 2 1 4 0 0 2 x 9 14 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TAM - JASON HAMMEL, JON SWITZER (5TH), BRIAN STOKES (6TH), DAN WHEELER (8TH) AND DIONER NAVARRO TEX - KASON GABBARD, WILLIE EYRE (2ND), WES LITTLETON (6TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (7TH), JOAQUIN BENOIT (9TH) AND JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA WP - WILLIE EYRE (4-5) LP - JASON HAMMEL (1-2) SAVE - NONE HOME RUNS: TAM - NONE TEX - MICHAEL YOUNG (6) OFF JASON HAMMEL IN THE 5TH, 0 ON TIME: 3:29 ATT: 24,042 PROBABLES: KAN - KYLE DAVIES (1-0, 4.66) TEX - KEVIN MILLWOOD (7-9, 5.90) PROBABLES: TAM - JAMES SHIELDS (9-7, 4.32) BOS - TIM WAKEFIELD (13-10, 4.81)</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">TAMPA BAY (1) VS TEXAS (9) - FINAL TAMPA BAY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Gomes lf 5 0 3 1 0 1 1 .264 C Crawford dh 5 0 0 0 0 2 5 .315 B Upton cf 3 0 1 0 2 1 0 .324 C Pena 1b 4 0 0 0 1 1 4 .268 D Young rf 5 0 1 0 0 1 3 .297 B Harris 2b 2 0 0 0 2 1 1 .296 J Wilson 3b 4 1 2 0 0 2 2 .285 D Navarro c 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .209 B Zobrist ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .165 Totals 35 1 8 1 5 12 23 BATTING: 2B - J Gomes (12, W Eyre); B Upton (20, W Eyre). RBI - J Gomes (34). 2-out RBI - J Gomes. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Pena 3, C Crawford 2, D Young 2. Team LOB - 13. BASERUNNING: SB - J Gomes (5, 2nd base off K Gabbard/J Saltalamacchia). FIELDING: DP: 2 (B Harris-B Zobrist-C Pena 2). TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg F Catalanotto lf 5 0 1 1 0 0 3 .251 N Cruz rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .208 I Kinsler 2b 4 1 1 2 1 0 1 .252 M Young ss 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .305 A Melhuse 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230 M Byrd cf 4 1 2 2 1 0 0 .316 B Wilkerson 1b 4 1 2 1 1 1 2 .232 J Botts dh 4 1 2 1 0 0 4 .233 J Saltalamacchia c 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .182 R Vazquez 3b-ss 3 1 1 0 1 0 3 .243 D Murphy rf-lf 4 3 3 1 0 0 1 .556 Totals 36 9 14 9 5 3 15 BATTING: 2B - D Murphy 3 (4, J Hammel, D Wheeler, J Switzer); M Byrd (13, J Hammel); J Botts (2, J Switzer); I Kinsler (16, D Wheeler). 3B - F Catalanotto (3, J Hammel). HR - M Young (6, 5th inning off J Hammel 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - M Byrd 2 (43), F Catalanotto (34), M Young (63), B Wilkerson (50), J Botts (5), D Murphy (1), I Kinsler 2 (41). 2-out RBI - F Catalanotto, D Murphy. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Wilkerson 1, R Vazquez 1, F Catalanotto 1, I Kinsler 1. GIDP - J Botts 2. Team LOB - 8. BASERUNNING: SB - I Kinsler (14, 2nd base off J Hammel/D Navarro). FIELDING: DP: 1 (B Wilkerson-M Young). ---------------------------------------------------- TAMPA BAY - 000 000 010 -- 1 TEXAS - 002 140 02x -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- TAMPA BAY ip h r er bb so hr era J Hammel (L, 1-2) 4 7 5 5 4 1 1 6.63 J Switzer 1 3 2 2 0 1 0 17.18 B Stokes 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 7.47 D Wheeler 1 3 2 2 1 0 0 9.64 TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Gabbard 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.83 W Eyre (W, 4-5) 3 2/3 4 0 0 3 2 0 4.68 W Littleton 1 2/3 1 0 0 2 4 0 4.39 F Francisco 1 1/3 2 1 1 0 3 0 4.79 J Benoit 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.74 J Hammel pitched to 2 batters in the 5th. WP - F Francisco 2. HBP - B Zobrist (by W Littleton). Pitches-strikes: J Hammel 91-51; J Switzer 30-21; B Stokes 22-13; D Wheeler 36-21; K Gabbard 18-12; W Eyre 64-33; W Littleton 38-22; F Francisco 25-19; J Benoit 13-10. Ground balls-fly balls: J Hammel 7-4; J Switzer 0-2; B Stokes 4-1; D Wheeler 2-1; K Gabbard 1-1; W Eyre 6-2; W Littleton 1-0; F Francisco 0-2; J Benoit 1-1. Batters faced: J Hammel 22; J Switzer 6; B Stokes 6; D Wheeler 7; K Gabbard 5; W Eyre 17; W Littleton 9; F Francisco 7; J Benoit 3. UMPIRES: HP--Dana Demuth. 1B--Rob Drake. 2B--Angel Campos. 3B--Doug Eddings. T--3:29. Att--24,042. Weather: 98 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, in from center.</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TAMPA BAY (1) AT TEXAS (9) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS 3RD: D Murphy doubled to deep right. F Catalanotto grounded out to first, D Murphy to third. I Kinsler walked. I Kinsler stole second. M Young walked. M Byrd singled to left, D Murphy and I Kinsler scored, M Young to second. B Wilkerson walked, M Young to third, M Byrd to second. J Botts grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, B Wilkerson out at second.(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 2. TEXAS 4TH: J Saltalamacchia grounded out to pitcher. R Vazquez walked. D Murphy grounded into fielder's choice to first, R Vazquez out at second. F Catalanotto tripled to deep right, D Murphy scored. I Kinsler flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 3. TEXAS 5TH: M Young homered to center. M Byrd doubled to right. J Switzer relieved J Hammel. B Wilkerson singled to right, M Byrd scored, B Wilkerson to second advancing on throw. J Botts doubled to deep center, B Wilkerson scored. J Saltalamacchia struck out swinging. R Vazquez lined out to second. D Murphy doubled to left center, J Botts scored. F Catalanotto lined out to center. (4 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 7. TAMPA BAY 8TH: B Harris fouled out to first. J Wilson reached on infield single to pitcher. D Navarro struck out swinging, J Wilson to second on wild pitch by F Francisco. B Zobrist struck out swinging, B Zobrist safe at first on wild pitch by F Francisco, J Wilson to third. J Gomes singled to left, J Wilson scored, B Zobrist to third, J Gomes to second advancing on throw. C Crawford flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 1, TEXAS 7. TEXAS 8TH: D Wheeler relieved B Stokes. R Vazquez singled to left. D Murphy doubled to left center, R Vazquez to third. F Catalanotto grounded out to second. I Kinsler doubled to deep center, R Vazquez and D Murphy scored. A Melhuse grounded out to second, I Kinsler to third. M Byrd walked. B Wilkerson lined out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 1, TEXAS 9.</div>
AL: TAMPA BAY at TEXAS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TAMPA BAY (1) AT TEXAS (9) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tampa Bay Starting Lineups -- J Gomes LF, C Crawford DH, B Upton CF, C Pena 1B, D Young RF, B Harris 2B, J Wilson 3B, D Navarro C, B Zobrist SS, J Hammel RHP. Texas Starting Lineups -- F Catalanotto LF, I Kinsler 2B, M Young SS, M Byrd CF, B Wilkerson 1B, J Botts DH, J Saltalamacchia C, R Vazquez 3B, D Murphy RF, K Gabbard LHP. Umpires -- Dana Demuth (HP), Rob Drake (1B), Angel Campos (2B), Doug Eddings (3B). Gametime Weather: 98 degrees, Clear, wind in from center at 7 mph. TAMPA BAY 1ST: J Gomes singled to center. C Crawford struck out swinging, J Gomes stole second. B Upton grounded out to third, J Gomes to third. C Pena struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 0. TEXAS 1ST: F Catalanotto flied out to center. I Kinsler grounded out to shortstop. M Young flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 0. TAMPA BAY 2ND: D Young flied out to right. W Eyre relieved K Gabbard. B Harris walked. J Wilson struck out swinging. D Navarro struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 0. TEXAS 2ND: M Byrd grounded out to second. B Wilkerson struck out swinging. J Botts reached on infield single to first. J Saltalamacchia singled to right, J Botts to second. R Vazquez flied out to left. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 0. TAMPA BAY 3RD: B Zobrist grounded out to shortstop. J Gomes doubled to deep center. C Crawford grounded out to pitcher. B Upton walked. C Pena grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 0. TEXAS 3RD: D Murphy doubled to deep right. F Catalanotto grounded out to first, D Murphy to third. I Kinsler walked. I Kinsler stole second. M Young walked. M Byrd singled to left, D Murphy and I Kinsler scored, M Young to second. B Wilkerson walked, M Young to third, M Byrd to second. J Botts grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, B Wilkerson out at second.(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 2. TAMPA BAY 4TH: D Young grounded out to shortstop. B Harris walked. J Wilson singled to left, B Harris to second. D Navarro reached on infield single to second, B Harris to third, J Wilson to second. B Zobrist lined into double play, first to shortstop, J Wilson doubled off second.(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 2. TEXAS 4TH: J Saltalamacchia grounded out to pitcher. R Vazquez walked. D Murphy grounded into fielder's choice to first, R Vazquez out at second. F Catalanotto tripled to deep right, D Murphy scored. I Kinsler flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 3. TAMPA BAY 5TH: J Gomes fouled out to catcher. C Crawford grounded out to third. B Upton doubled to deep right. C Pena grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 3. TEXAS 5TH: M Young homered to center. M Byrd doubled to right. J Switzer relieved J Hammel. B Wilkerson singled to right, M Byrd scored, B Wilkerson to second advancing on throw. J Botts doubled to deep center, B Wilkerson scored. J Saltalamacchia struck out swinging. R Vazquez lined out to second. D Murphy doubled to left center, J Botts scored. F Catalanotto lined out to center. (4 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 7. TAMPA BAY 6TH: W Littleton relieved W Eyre. D Young singled to right. B Harris struck out swinging. J Wilson struck out looking. D Navarro grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 7. TEXAS 6TH: B Stokes relieved J Switzer. I Kinsler flied out to right. M Young grounded out to first. M Byrd grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 7. TAMPA BAY 7TH: A Melhuse at third base. R Vazquez at shortstop. B Zobrist hit by pitch. J Gomes struck out swinging. C Crawford struck out swinging. B Upton walked, B Zobrist to second. C Pena walked, B Zobrist to third, B Upton to second. F Francisco relieved W Littleton. D Young struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 7. TEXAS 7TH: B Wilkerson singled to left. J Botts grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, B Wilkerson out at second. J Saltalamacchia struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, TEXAS 7. TAMPA BAY 8TH: B Harris fouled out to first. J Wilson reached on infield single to pitcher. D Navarro struck out swinging, J Wilson to second on wild pitch by F Francisco. B Zobrist struck out swinging, B Zobrist safe at first on wild pitch by F Francisco, J Wilson to third. J Gomes singled to left, J Wilson scored, B Zobrist to third, J Gomes to second advancing on throw. C Crawford flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 1, TEXAS 7. TEXAS 8TH: D Wheeler relieved B Stokes. R Vazquez singled to left. D Murphy doubled to left center, R Vazquez to third. F Catalanotto grounded out to second. I Kinsler doubled to deep center, R Vazquez and D Murphy scored. A Melhuse grounded out to second, I Kinsler to third. M Byrd walked. B Wilkerson lined out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 1, TEXAS 9. TAMPA BAY 9TH: N Cruz in right field. D Murphy in left field. J Benoit relieved F Francisco. B Upton struck out swinging. C Pena flied out to center. D Young grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 1, TEXAS 9.</div>
Young's milestone blast sends Rangers to easy win <h3>TEXAS 9, TAMPA BAY 1</h3>By Jay Miller PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Michael Young blasted his 100thcareer home run as the Texas Rangers cruised to a 9-1 victoryover the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Sunday. Young's solo shot to left-center off Tampa Bay starter JasonHammel (1-2) to lead off the fifth marked the Rangers' return tothe long ball ledger after being held homerless in Saturday'sfour-hit shutout by Tampa Bay's Edwin Jackson. Three Texas pitchers almost returned the favor, holding theDevil Rays scoreless until Frank Francisco allowed Ian Kinsler'sRBI double in the eighth. The feat was impressive as Rangersstarter Kason Gabbard left the game with stiffness in his leftforearm after throwing his first pitch of the second inning,forcing Willie Eyre (4-5) into early action. Eyre earned the win after throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings,allowing only four hits. The Rangers gave the lefthander all the support he required inthe third, the first of three consecutive innings Texas scoredin. David Murphy, who came over with Gabbard from Boston at thetrade deadline, opened the frame with a double. Walks toKinsler and Young loaded the bases with one out. Marlon Byrd then singled to left to plate Murphy and Kinsler foran early 2-0 advantage. After Texas posted one run in the fourth, Young's homer sparkedfour consecutive hits by the Rangers, highlighted by BradWilkerson's RBI single and Jason Botts' run-scoring double toadvance the lead to 5-0. Murphy's ended the scoring in the four-run fifth with the secondof his three doubles to score Botts. Kinsler added a two-run double in the eighth to complete thescoring for the Rangers, who improved to 45-25 in contests inwhich they score four or more runs.
Young's milestone blast sends Rangers to easy win <h3>TEXAS 9, TAMPA BAY 1</h3>By Jay Miller PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) --Michael Young blasted his 100th career home run as the TexasRangers cruised to a 9-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rayson Sunday. Young's solo shot to left-center off Tampa Bay starter JasonHammel (1-2) to lead off the fifth marked the Rangers' return tothe long ball ledger after being held homerless in Saturday'sfour-hit shutout by Tampa Bay's Edwin Jackson. Three Texas pitchers almost returned the favor, holding theDevil Rays scoreless until Frank Francisco allowed Jonny Gomes'RBI double in the eighth. The feat was impressive as Rangersstarter Kason Gabbard left the game with stiffness in his leftforearm after throwing his first pitch of the second inning,forcing Willie Eyre (4-5) into early action. "I've never had a forearm strain," Gabbard said. "It's just aminor little setback and I'll be ready to throw Friday." Eyre earned the win after throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings,allowing only four hits. The Rangers gave the lefthander all the support he required inthe third, the first of three consecutive innings Texas scoredin. David Murphy, who came over with Gabbard from Boston at thetrade deadline, opened the frame with a double. Walks toKinsler and Young loaded the bases with one out. Marlon Byrd then singled to left to plate Murphy and Kinsler foran early 2-0 advantage. After Texas posted one run in the fourth, Young's homer sparkedfour consecutive hits by the Rangers, highlighted by BradWilkerson's RBI single and Jason Botts' run-scoring double toadvance the lead to 5-0. "Things seem to be clicking right now," Young said. "I'm hereand that's all that matters. I'm getting an opportunity and I'mgoing to try to make the most of it. I've had some good gameslately, but there's some time left until the end of the season." Murphy's ended the scoring in the four-run fifth with the secondof his three doubles to score Botts. Kinsler added a two-run double in the eighth to complete thescoring for the Rangers, who improved to 45-25 in contests inwhich they score four or more runs. Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford fell short of matching a career-high13-game hitting steak by going 0-for-5 Sunday. He also snappedhis club-record eight-game multiple-hit streak. However, it isthe number 100 he wants to avoid - the number of losses the45-71 Devil Rays are on pace to reach. "In the back of your mind you want to do everything you can toavoid that big round number," Crawford said.
