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 Texas' four-run second inning that included two bases-loaded walks
was the key.
Rangers reliever Alex Claudio, who replaced starter Nick Martinez
with two outs in the fifth, earned his first major league win.
Claudio (1-0) threw 1 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings.
The fifth Texas pitcher of the night, Neftali Feliz, struck out two
in a perfect ninth inning for his fourth save of the season.
"That was exactly what we needed," said Martinez, who failed to make
it past the fifth inning for the first time this season. "The guys
came in behind me and shut the door. It's great to continue that
winning streak."
The Rangers chased Rays starter Chris Archer in the fourth inning.
Archer (3-4) entered Thursday's game with a 1.64 ERA, but by the
time he exited, it had ballooned to 2.59 after he surrendered five
runs over 3 1/3 innings.
"The biggest reason is I couldn't make pitches when I needed to,"
Archer said. "My delivery felt good. I just wasn't in the zone
enough. If you're not in the zone, it doesn't matter how good your
stuff is."
Over his past two starts, Archer went from being one of the more
dependable pitchers on Tampa Bay's patchwork rotation to someone who
is uncharacteristically inconsistent.
"I don't know a specific reason other than that he just couldn't
command the fastball really," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "He's
got to throw enough fastballs over the plate to get the guys to
commit on the slider, get hitters to commit. He wasn't doing that
tonight."
Archer ran into trouble in the second inning. Rangers center fielder
Delino DeShields and right fielder Shin-Soo Choo brought home the
first two runs with walks, and shortstop Elvis Andrus followed with
a two-run single.
After Archer exited in the fourth with a runner on second and one
out, Rays reliever Erasmo Ramirez gave up an RBI single to Rangers
designated hitter Prince Fielder, increasing the lead to 5-0.
The Rays got back in the game in the fifth inning with three runs.
After left fielder David DeJesus singled and designated hitter Joey
Butler doubled to start the frame, Martinez induced shortstop Tim
Beckham to ground into a run-scoring out.
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Second baseman Jake Elmore then singled to score Butler before
catcher Bobby Wilson reached on a single to center. Center fielder
Kevin Kiermaier's groundout to second plated Elmore, and a walk by
right fielder Steven Souza Jr. chased Martinez from the game.
Claudio entered and ended the threat by inducing a groundout from
first baseman James Loney.
Elmore and Rangers first baseman Kyle Blanks had two hits apiece.
NOTES: Rays 3B Evan Longoria sat out due to flu-like symptoms,
ending the longest active games-played streak in the majors at 198.
Longoria homered twice Wednesday in the series finale at Boston. ...
Tampa Bay RHP Alex Cobb, out all season due to a partially torn
ligament in his right elbow, got a platelet-rich plasma injection
this week. The timetable for him to resume throwing is uncertain,
and there is a chance he might need season-ending Tommy John
surgery. ... Rangers OF Josh Hamilton (right shoulder surgery in
February 2015) might be able to start a rehab assignment with
Triple-A Round Rock this weekend. He took batting practice Thursday
at extended spring training in Surprise, Ariz. ...Rangers OF Josh
Hamilton (right shoulder) and 1B Mitch Moreland (shoulder) could
join Rangers minor league affiliate Round Rock this weekend. ... 1B
Mitch Moreland (shoulder) could join Hamilton in Round Rock this
weekend.
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