Texas Rangers @ Toronto Blue Jays (April 16th-17th)

[Molina00]

Sorry I haven't been keeping this forum updated lately. In the last week I have had 2 exams to study for, a garage sale to help with, and a family member's b-day going on. This left little time for keeping up with the Rangers, but it doesn't look like I missed much.

Regardless, the Rangers are hitting the road after a disappointing 2-6 homestand and heading to Toronto for a 2 game set against the Blue Jays.

In game 1 Kason Gabbard will take the mound for Texas against Toronto starter Jesse Litsch.

Gabbard has been excellent this season going 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 2 starts thus far, including 7 scoreless innings on the road in the Rangers 11-6 win over the Angels.

Litsch pitched against Texas on the 11th and performed well going 5.2 innings allowing 2 earned runs in the Blue Jays wins.

[Molina00]

After dropping 5 straight games the Rangers got back on track in Toronto winning both games in the series. Game 1 went into extra innings tied at 5 until the Rangers put two on the board in the 14th to win the game 7-5. Kason Gabbard made the start for Texas and pitched well allowing just 2 runs over 6 innings and the bullpen combined to give up 3 runs over the next 8 innings. Jason Botts and Frank Catalanotto both hit their first homeruns of the year, Josh Hamilton contributed 4 hits and Milton Bradley 2 for 3 while walking 5 times.

The Rangers pitching was even better in game 2. Vicente Padilla made the start giving up only 1 run through 7 innings of work and picked up the win to improve to 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA on the season. C.J. Wilson pitched a scoreless 9th for his 5th save. Ian Kinsler 3 for 4 and scored a run in the leadoff spot while most of the offense was provided by David Murphy and Gerald Laird. Murphy pitched in 3 doubles and Laird drove in a pair of runs in the Rangers 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

The Rangers improved to 7-9 on the season but are still in last place and trail Angels by 2.5 games in the AL West.