Rangers Lose To Tribe

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Texas Rangers reliever Joe Nathan’s team-record winning streak came to an end Thursday night at the Ballpark.  Nathan had pitched 31 consecutive saves before blowing a 2-run lead in the 9th inning against Cleveland to earn the 5-4 loss.  Nathan gave up hits to all 4 batters he faced, including 2 home runs.  It is only the 2nd blown save for Nathan, the last being on April 11.  Nathan has saved 33 of 35 opportunities.   Rangers manager Ron Washington hasn’t lost faith in his star, “You always feel the game is over when you hand the ball over to your closer,” Washington said. “But there’s no closer that’s perfect. We want to be in that situation and giving the ball to Joe. It just didn’t happen.”

Rangers starter Derek Holland went 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits.  Holland struck out 7 and only walked 1.

Texas generated 11 hits in the game, but could not get runners to the plate.  Failing to capitalize on 3 Cleveland errors, the Rangers left 8 on base.

Texas is clinging to a 3-game lead over the A’s in the AL West.  Their magic number is 17.  The Rangers host the Mariners tonight at the ballpark as Yu Darvish faces his countryman and fellow rookie Hisashi Iwakuma.  First pitch is at 7:05pm in Arlington.