Rangers vs. Rays

[Bob Of Burleson]

By David Adler / MLB.com

The Rangers begin a seven-game homestand on Monday when they host the Rays in the first game of a four-game set at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

The Rangers lost their weekend series against the Astros, while the Rays won their series against the Cubs. In Monday's opener, Texas right-hander Colby Lewis (8-8, 5.50 ERA) will start opposite Tampa Bay left-hander Drew Smyly (6-10, 3.98 ERA combined between the Tigers and Rays).

The 35-year-old Lewis, who missed all of the 2013 season on the disabled list, is coming off his second career shutout in a 16-0 win on the road against the White Sox on Tuesday. Lewis allowed only six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Since the All-Star break, Lewis is 2-2 with a 2.30 ERA in four starts covering 27 1/3 innings. He's just happy to be pitching -- in the past two years, Lewis has had surgeries on his right elbow and hip.

"I've been blessed to have the opportunities to come back multiple times," Lewis said. "I just want to keep throwing the ball well. We're going home, happy to be going home. I feel like everything is going well. The body feels really good. I wanted to get back to where I was. Physically, I feel I achieved that and now it's about being more consistent. That's what I want."

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[Bob Of Burleson]

Disaster. Again.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Command issues, throwing error haunt Lewis, Rangers
Righty allows five runs, two earned, in five innings in loss to Rays

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Rangers starter Colby Lewis went right to the heart of it after a 7-0 loss to the Rays on Monday night.

"I just beat myself, that's all there is to it," Lewis said. "That's what it was."

Rays starter Drew Smyly had something to do with it as well, holding the Rangers scoreless on three hits through 7 2/3 innings. Between one starter beating himself and another being at his best, most of the 28,501 in attendance had slipped away once this one was finally over after three hours and 17 minutes.

The Rays scored three in the second and two more in the fourth against Lewis, which was more than enough with Smyly in command. Smyly, in his second start since being acquired from the Tigers in a trade that sent David Price to Detroit, held the Rangers to three hits and three walks while striking out nine. The Rangers were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

"He was so good," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He was in command of everything: fastball, two breaking balls. He was throwing it exactly where he wanted to. He had himself a fabulous night."

Lewis, who was hoping to become only the third Rangers pitcher to win at least three consecutive starts this season, wasn't really interested in what the other pitcher did. He was more irritated with four walks, one hit batter and a wild throw on a bunt play.

"Physically everything is fine, I just beat myself," Lewis said. "Walking four guys … I don't do that. Dumb baseball, from my standpoint I played dumb baseball."

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[Bob Of Burleson]

[Bob Of Burleson]

Rosales draws bases-loaded walk for win in 14
Rangers erase two-run deficit in 7th, plate game-winner with two outs

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- They also serve who only stand and wait, John Milton once wrote. Adam Rosales did just that for four pitches and brought the Rangers 14-inning marathon to an end with a 3-2 victory over the Rays on Tuesday night.

Rosales' two-out walk with the bases loaded off of Rays reliever Cesar Ramos also allowed reliever Scott Baker to earn his first Major League victory in over three years. Baker was pitching in his 21st game for the Rangers this season and they were 0-for-20 in his previous appearances.

This time he pitched the final two of seven scoreless innings from the bullpen that allowed the Rangers to prevail in a terrific ballgame for their fifth walk-off victory of the season and their first since April 16. It was also only the second time in six tries that the Rangers won in extra innings. The other was a 1-0 win over the Astros in 12 innings on April 11.

"At this point of the season, we'll take a win any way we can get it," Baker said. "I guess in a way it's a stat, but regardless as a reliever or a starter, to win a game in the big leagues is something special. I'm very happy, but at the same time I was in the right place at the right time."

The game lasted four hours and 49 minutes and was the second time since the All-Star break that the Rangers went 14 innings. It was also the first 14-inning game in Arlington since May 27, 2011.

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[geeiabil]

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Another close one tonight.

Rays a bunch. .Rangers 1

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[Bob Of Burleson]

Home run ball derails Mikolas in loss to Rays
Righty allows 10 runs in six-plus innings, including three long balls

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON --There were three home runs hit in the first two innings on Wednesday night at Globe Life Park. The barrage came just one night after nobody hit one in 14 innings, the longest homerless game in the ballpark's history.

But all three home runs were hit by the Rays off Rangers pitcher Miles Mikolas. That staked Rays starter Chris Archer to a 5-0 lead after just two innings and the Rangers never recovered in a 10-1 loss.

Mikolas ended up allowing 10 runs in six-plus innings. He is the 18th pitcher in Rangers history to give up at least 10 runs in a game, but the fourth this season. It is the 10th time this season a Major League pitcher has allowed at least 10 runs in a game. No other team has had it happen more than once.

"He just couldn't command the baseball," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He couldn't put it where he wanted to. He left too many fastballs over the plate, couldn't put his breaking balls in spots and when he did make a pitch, they found a hole."

Mikolas has been a reliever his entire career before switching to becoming a starter this year. His next step is to learn how to pitch at Globe Life Park. Mikolas has made four starts here and is 0-4 with a 13.73 ERA while opponents are hitting .385 off him. He is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA in four starts on the road.

The good news is his next start is scheduled for Tuesday in Miami, but eventually he'll have to learn to pitch at Globe Life Park unless the Rangers suddenly move to the Cotton Bowl or Farrington Field in Fort Worth.

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[geeiabil]

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Halfway there......

Rays 6

Rangers 3

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[Bob Of Burleson]

Ross' promising return is short-lived vs. Rays
Lefty's night takes turn after striking out side in first inning

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Robbie Ross Jr. still harbors hope of being a starting pitcher in the Major Leagues. Given the ravaged state of the Rangers' rotation, there is still an opportunity for somebody -- anybody -- to make an impression.

But even after getting turned around at Tripl-A Round Rock, Ross knows he has to show better than what he did on Thursday night in a 6-3 loss to the Rays.

"Obviously this is disappointing to have this happen," Ross said. "They need guys to do better. Right now you need to battle and seize an opportunity. This one wasn't a good one, hopefully, the next one will be better."

Ross was called up from Round Rock on Thursday after Yu Darvish was placed on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow. Ross started off great, striking out the side in the first inning, but then it fell apart after that and the Rangers lost for the third time in four games to the Rays.

They are 9-17 since the All-Star break. The highlight of the night for the Rangers was the work of rookie relievers Alex Claudio, Roman Mendez and Phil Klein combining for 4 2/3 scoreless innings after Ross exited with one out in the fifth.

"They did a good job," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

But the Rangers really need help in a starting rotation that took another hit when Darvish joined Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Martin Perez on the disabled list. The Rangers are still hoping Holland will pitch again this year but, pitching for Round Rock, he allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings in his fourth start on medical rehab on Thursday.

Ross was called up after going 3-2 with a 2.91 ERA in his last five starts at Round Rock. But against the Rays he allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

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