Bonilla wins 1st start as Rangers top Braves 3-2 ... Rougned Odors go-ahead double gave fellow rookie Lisalverto Bonilla a win in his first major-league start, and the last-place Texas Rangers beat Atlanta 3-2 Saturday, handing the Braves another setback in their push for an NL wild-card spot. Bonilla, who had made just two relief appearances in the Majors since being called up in September, allowed two runs on four hits. He walked four, struck out three and threw just 78 pitches in place of Scott Baker. Atlantas Julio Teheran (13-12) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before a one-out single from Luis Sardinas. An error by left fielder Justin Upton kept the inning alive, and Odor took advantage by driving home Leonys Martin and Elvis Andrus for a 3-2 lead. The Braves, who started the day three games behind Pittsburgh for the second NL wild-card spot, dropped to 2-6 on their nine-game road trip. With closer Neftali Feliz apparently unavailable, Neal Cotts pitched the ninth for his first save this season and second in Texas since joining the club last year. Teheran faded after a strong start for the second straight outing as the Braves dropped a second straight in Texas. He retired 13 of the first 14 last Sunday at Miami but allowed seven of the next nine to reach in a 4-0 loss. The sixth got him this time, but only after a two-out error by Upton when he tried to make a running catch and dropped a line drive from Martin. A single by Elvis Andrus ended the shutout for Teheran, who faced the minimum through 16 batters after walking Adam Rosales to lead off the third and getting Sardinas to hit into a double play. The Braves, who were shut out in the past two starts by Teheran, went up 2-0 in the third on soft run-scoring hits from Phil Gosselin and Freddie Freeman. Bonilla, filling in after Scott Baker was scratched with triceps tendinitis, erased leadoff walks in the first and third by getting double-play grounders from Gosselin and Christian Bethancourt. He followed each of the double plays with a walk but escaped further damage. The 24-year-old Bonilla had two relief appearances for the Rangers, who had all three of their hits in the three-run sixth. NOTES: *Braves C Evan Gattis (strep throat) missed his fifth straight game, and is still waiting to make his debut in front of a hometown crowd. He grew in Dallas. *Rangers manager Tim Bogar said he hopes Baker will pitch again this season. The next chance would be Friday at the Los Angeles Angels. *Braves LHP Mike Minor (6-10, 4.58) makes his first appearance against the Rangers. He has made six straight quality starts but has just a 2-3 record to show for it. The Braves have scored one run combined in his past two starts. *Rangers RHP Colby Lewis (9-13, 5.29) is set for his team-leading 27th start a year after partial hip replacement surgery. He has gone at least seven innings in three straight starts, one shy of his career record in 2011. Below: Second baseman Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers throws to first for a double play after forcing out Jason Heyward #22 of the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla #59 of the Texas Rangers throws during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves strikes out during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers on September 13th at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Starting pitcher Julio Teheran #49 of the Atlanta Braves throws against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. Shortstop Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers is unable to make the tag as Emilio Bonifacio #1 of the Atlanta Braves steals second base during the third inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 21:16:06 +0000
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