Rangers Give Nathan 300th Save

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The Texas Rangers took a controverisal call in the 9th inning to get a 5-4 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.  

After leading 5-1 going into the 8th inning, Texas relievers gave up 3 runs to bring the game to within one in the top of the 9th.  With two outs, Joe Nathan fell behind 3-1 to batter Ben Zobrist.  Nathan threw a slider for a strike to make the count full.  The next pitch was a curveball which Zobrist did not chase but was called strike by umpire Marty Foster to end the game.   With the strikeout, Nathan earned his 300th save, becoming only the 2nd Ranger and 24th player to ever reach that milestone.

The Rangers got back-to-back home runs from A.J. Pierznyski and Mitch Moreland in the 4th inning.  Adrian Beltre opened the scoring with a RBI double in the first inning.  Elvis Andrus added a 2-run single in the 7th.   Lance Berkman and Nelson Cruz were hitless for the first time all season.

Starting pitcher Alexi Ogando improved to 2-0 with a 5 1/3 inning performance, allowing just 3 hits.

The Rays and Rangers square off again tonight at the Ballpark, with Texas pitcher Nick Tepesch making his major league debut.