Rangers Even Series With Rays

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The Texas Rangers relied on both offense and defense to top the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 Saturday night at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Josh Hamilton put the Rangers on top early with a 2-run single in the first inning after Ian Kinsler walked and Elvis Andrus hit a double.

The Rays would get within one as Matt Joyce led off the second inning with a home run for the Rays.

Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis buckled down to hold the Rays scoreless for the next 5 innings.  Lewis improved to 3-0 on the season with his 6 inning performance, giving up just the one run on three hits.  Lewis struck out 5.  

Alexi Ogando pitched a scoreless inning before turning it over to Mike Adams, who allowed one run on two hits.  Koji Uehara finished the game with a scoreless 9th inning.

Adrian Beltre hit a 3-run homer in the 7th inning to put the game out of reach for Texas.

The rubber game of the series will be tonight at 7:05pm in Arlington.