Andrus' Steal, Ross' Homers Lead Rangers And Giants To LCS Victories
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Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees
Game 2 recap: The Rangers evened the ALCS 1-1, beating the Yankees 7-2 and locking up an at-home playoff win for the first time in franchise history.
The Texas team captured an early lead with a series of steals in the bottom of the first. Elvis Andrus singled then got to second on a wild pitch from Yankee starter Phil Hughes. He stole third moments later, then took off for home as Josh Hamilton completed his own steal of second.
David Murphy kept the momentum going with a solo homer in the second. The Rangers also scored that inning off Michael Young’s two-out double. Third inning doubles by Murphy, Bengie Molina and Nelson Cruz made it 5-0.
Hot-hitter Robinson Cano attempted to get a rally going for the Yankees when he scored off a Lance Berkman single in the fourth and hit a solo homer in the sixth.
But Yankee hitters appeared no match for Rangers’ starter Colby Lewis, who ended a solid effort with two earned runs and six strikeouts. In turn, the Rangers manhandled Hughes and set the stage for a much-anticipated matchup between their ace Cliff Lee and Yankee vet Andy Pettitte.
Key moment: Ian Kinsler finished off Hughes in the fifth with a triple, epitomizing the batting power Texas displayed all day.
Game changer: Murphy’s second-inning home run fired up the Rangers and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Play of the game: A steal of home trumps every other play in baseball. Andrus became just the fifth player in League Championship Series history to do it. A rattled Hughes was unable to recover.
Unsung hero: The Texas bullpen. They struggled in Game 1, but the relief pitchers came out strong with three scoreless innings to end the game and key strikeouts with runners in scoring position.
Quotes of the game: “Opportunity seemed right, so I took a chance…it worked.” - Rangers manager Ron Washington on Andrus’ consecutive steals
“Let me just get on the airplane first and we’ll meet tomorrow.” –Yankees manager Joe Girardi, when asked repeatedly about a possible change in the pitching rotation
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants
Game 1 recap: In a game that was billed as the ultimate pitching showdown, it was the batters who came up big. The Phillies’ Roy Halladay and Giants’ Tim Lincecum each pitched two stellar innings then began to give up hits.
Cody Ross put the Giants on the board with a solo shot in the third, which was quickly answered by Phillie Carlos Ruiz with a home run of his own in the bottom of the inning.
Ross came up big in the fifth with his second home run of the evening, giving the Giants the lead. Buster Posey, Juan Uribe and Pat Burrell built upon his scores to make it 4-1 in the sixth.
Jayson Werth made it a one-run game with his two-run homer later that inning, but Lincecum shut the Phillies down with two strikeouts.
Philly threatened with baserunners in the eighth and ninth innings, but neither team would score again and Giants closer Brian “The Beard” Wilson logged his third consecutive postseason save.
Key moment: With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the tying run at first, Wilson came from behind in the count to strike out Shane Victorino and get the win.
Game changer: Ross’ second solo homer in the fifth put the Giants on top, where they would stay the rest of the game.
Play of the game: It’s not every day you see a number eight hitter get the best of Halladay. Ross’ third inning home run shocked the Phillies and lit a fire under the Giants.
Unsung hero: Pat Burrell. His two hits and one RBI came at key moments and were essential in securing the win for the Giants.
Quotes of the game: “I must have a really nice butt.” – Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum on Philly fans who whistled as he came to the plate
“You find out what you’re made of. You never expect it to be easy.” – Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay on his less-than-spectacular Game 1 performance
To reach writer Kate Rooney, click here.
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