Rangers blow 5 run lead against Yankees.

The Texas Rangers were 6 outs away from dominating the New York Yankees in game 1 of the American League Championship Series.  Unfortunately, the Rangers could not get an out until they had given up 5 runs in the 8th inning to see their 5-1 lead turn into a 6-5 deficit.

Texas pitcher C.J. Wilson had pitched 6 innings, giving up only 3 hits, when he started to show signs of tiring.  Wilson gave up a home run in the 7th, and then two hits to start the 8th.  With a 5-2 lead, Rangers manager Ron Washington decided to go to his bullpen.  The bullpen did not respond.  New York sent 10 men to the plate in the inning, with 5 of them scoring.   All before a single out could be recorded.  Finally, reliever Derek Holland was able to stop the bleeding and shut down the Yankees for the final 6 outs.

The Rangers had chances to rally back, getting the tying run on base in both the 8th and 9th innings, but could not get them home.

The early innings belonged to Texas, as they jumped on Yankee pitcher C.C. Sabathia for a 5-0 lead.  Sabathia was gone by the 5th inning. 

The offensive charge and C.J. Wilson’s superb pitching were all for naught, as the 8th inning debacle doomed the Rangers.

Texas will try to rebound today against the Yankees.