Mets Blast Rangers

The New York Mets knocked Texas Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando out of the game after just 3 innings on the way to a 14-5 win Saturday afternoon in Arlington.

Ogando, who started the season 7-0 and has now dropped 3 straight, gave up 3 runs in the opening inning and another 3 in the third before leaving the game.  Whatever hopes the Rangers had of coming from behind were dashed in the sixth inning when relievers Dave Bush and Michael Kirkman combined to give up 8 more runs.

Offensively, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, and Nelson Cruz each hit home runs for the Rangers, but the top and bottom of the order could not do much to help.

Ogando shouldered the blame for the loss, saying, “I never give up.  I’m the kind of person or player, I don’t give up. Not doing my job in the last three outings, I have to keep working and learn from the mistakes I’ve been making and, of course, take the bad things that I did and try to get them out of my work when I’m on the mound. I have to get it together.”

Shortstop Elvis Andrus did not play, resting a sprained wrist.  Andrus is not expected to return to the lineup until next week’s series in Houston.

The Rangers finish the homestand with the Mets Sunday afternoon at the Ballpark.