Rangers Beat Orioles 5-1

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The Texas Rangers returned to Arlington with a flair on Monday night, beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-1.

Pitcher Ryan Dempster had his best game as a Ranger, going 8 innings and allowing just 1 run on 4 hits.  Dempster struck out 8.  Rangers manager Ron Washington liked what he saw from his starter, “Dempster was on.  He kept the ball down. He had a good slider, a good changeup, a good sinker. He got ahead. That’s what he’s capable of doing. He’s not an overpowering guy. He has to execute his pitches and tonight, he executed.”  Dempster improves to 7-6 on the season.

Joe Nathan finished the game for Texas by striking out the side in the 9th.

The Rangers pounded out 10 hits in the game, with 4 of them coming in the 4th inning, generating 3 runs in the frame.  Nelson Cruz set a new career high with his 32nd double of the year.  David Murphy continued his hot streak, going 2-for-3.  Murphy is batting .417 over the last 10 games.

Texas will continue the homestand against the Orioles Tuesday night.  First pitch is at 7:05pm.  The Rangers will have Scott Feldman on the mound. 

The Rangers have a 6 game lead over the A’s in the AL West.