Kelly Shoppach made up for his low batting average with two bombs in Game 1. (Wikimedia Commons)

In only his second Major League start, rookie pitcher Matt Moore threw seven innings of two-hit shutout ball while striking out six.

The Rangers looked slow off the bat. Besides Josh Hamilton, no Ranger had a hit the entire game and only three reached base.

On the other side of the ball, it was a very different story.

AL East journeyman Johnny Damon led the scoring off with a two-run bomb in the second, but it was Kelly Shoppach who was the surprise hero of the day.

The Rays catcher, who batted .176 this season, went 3-for-5, driving in five runs with two home runs in the third and fifth innings. 

The game was over when Shoppach hit his second blast to deep left-center with two outs in the fifth, putting the Rays up 7-0 and knocking Texas starter C.J. Wilson out of the game in the process.

Play of the game: Kudos goes to the Texas fan sitting in the center field bleachers who caught Shoppach's first home run. This dedicated individual hopped the bar onto the lawn next to his seats, caught the home run, and immediately threw it back onto the field. He got a well-deserved ovation afterwards.

Unsung hero(es): It's very hard to choose between the rookie pitcher and the veteran catcher on this one. The Rays' battery of Moore and Shoppach put the team on its back today, no doubt. 

Goat of the game: The entire Texas offense. The Rangers scored the third most runs in the majors this year, but they couldn't muster even a single run against a rookie pitcher in his second start!

Quote of the game:

"I don't know that he's old enough to even understand how well these guys hit at this park." - Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach, referring to rookie pitcher Matt Moore.

What you may have missed: Before the game, there was a very touching moment when Cooper Stone, the son of Rangers fan Shannon Stone who fell to his death at a game earlier this season, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. On the receiving end of the pitch was Josh Hamilton, who was very remorseful following the incident, feeling he was somewhat at fault. He shared a hug with Cooper and his mother after the pitch, while the entire ballpark gave an emotional standing ovation.

Note: Friday's game between the Tigers and the Yankees was called off before the bottom of the second inning. After Tigers outfielder Delmon Young hit a solo homer in the top of the first, the Yankees came back to tie it in the bottom without getting a hit. The game will be picked up in the bottom of the second inning tied at 1-1 on Saturday at 8:37 pm ET. Ivan Nova and Doug Fister are expected to "start" for the Yankees and Tigers, respectively. Game 2 will then be moved to Sunday at 3:07 pm ET. However, with rain in the forecast for Saturday, MLB officials are prepared for a Sunday doubleheader if tomorrow's game is rained out, Tom Verducci reports.

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