Ian Kinsler’s home run to lead off the game was big. But Derek Holland sidestepping two walks to strike out the side was the part of the inning to really note.
While Holland wasn’t as pinpoint as everyone may have liked, he got three outs and prevented the Blue Jays from scoring. That may have been the biggest key to breaking the five-game losing streak. As you can read in previous entries, the Rangers pitching staff has shown a propensity for allowing one inning that turns a close game into an easy victory for the opponent. Fortunately, there was no deja vu Wednesday.
After the first inning, Holland pitched four more solid ones, allowing just three hits, eight strikeouts and two walks during the five innings. Holland stuck out the 4-5-6 spots (V. Wells, A. Lind and A. Hill) consecutively in the fourth and did not walk anyone after the first inning,
Matt Harrison, Darren O’Day, Darren Oliver and Neftali Feliz each got three outs to lead to Holland’s third victory of the season. Jose Molina homered off O’Day to start the bottom of the eighth for the Blue Jays’ only run of the game. Strangely, all three home runs O’Day has given up this season have been in Toronto. Bengie Molina registered an RBI single and a walk in the game.
After plating single runs in the fifth, sixth and eighth, Nelson Cruz homered following a Michael Young single in the ninth to extend the lead to 7-1. A Vladimir Guerrero double, David Murphy double and a Jorge Cantu single scored yet another run.
Eight of nine starters recorded a hit. Cruz and Jeff Francoeur each had three, while Kinsler, Young, Guerrero and David Murphy put down two apiece.
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