The Texas Rangers made history by advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time in the franchise history by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-1, in the Game 5 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday night.
Pitcher Cliff Lee rallied his team behind to ensure that they clinch a place in the top four teams of the country that will compete for the most coveted prize in the world of baseball. His baserunning skills removed the disgrace attached to the Rangers as they were, up until yesterday, the only Major League franchise that failed to advance to the League Championship Series.
Shortstop Elvis Andrus brought the game to its logical end in the ninth inning when Rays' outfielder B.J. Upton rocked at Cliff Lee's 120th pitch, which was also his 90th strike, and popped it up to Andrus thus ending the game in the biggest win of Rangers' history.
Andrus, Nelson Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero were the key scorers of the Rangers as they advanced their team to victory by scoring the first three runs. All three runs were scored from second base with Ian Kinsler finishing off with a two-run home run in the ninth inning.
Lee pitched his third career playoff complete game, and that, too, by allowing six hits. He struck out 11 during last night's win against the Rays.
Lee has a current standing of 6-0 with a 1.44 ERA in seven postseason starts that also includes 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his two starts against the Rays.
