Chirinos helps Rangers past Braves 2-1 ... Robinson Chirinos hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning, sending the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. Adrian Beltre and Ryan Rua had two hits apiece as Texas won for only the second time in 13 games. The Rangers improved to 2-5 under interim manager Tim Bogar. The Braves have lost four of five to drop three games behind Pittsburgh for the National Leagues second wild card. Texas winning rally started with two out in the eighth. Beltre and Rua hit consecutive singles against David Carpenter (6-4) before Chirinos lined a single to center to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Chirinos was playing for the first time after missing 10 games because of a stiff neck. Rookie Phil Klein (1-2) recorded two outs for his first major league win and Neftali Feliz pitched a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save in 10 opportunities. Atlanta had a runner on third with one out in the eighth when Klein struck out Justin Upton. After issuing an intentional walk to Ryan Doumit, Klein struck out Chris Johnson to end the inning. The game ended when Atlantas Andrelton Simmons flied out to right fielder Michael Choice on the warning track. Starting pitchers Alex Wood for Atlanta and the Rangers Derek Holland each allowed one run in seven innings. The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the third, when they had four of their eight hits against Holland. Singles by B.J. Upton and Simmons and Jason Heywards ground ball produced the run. Holland retired Upton and Doumit with the bases loaded to prevent a bigger inning. Texas tied it in the sixth on J.P. Arencibias double, Beltres single and Ruas groundout. Holland tied his season high with six strikeouts. He has pitched seven innings in each of his last three starts, allowing no walks. The only other Rangers pitcher with no walks in three consecutive starts of seven innings or more was Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins in 1979. NOTES: *C Evan Gattis (strep throat) missed his fourth straight game. *Rangers RHP Scott Baker (triceps tendinitis) was scratched from Saturdays scheduled start. *RF Alex Rios (infected right thumb) missed his seventh game. *OF Jake Smolinski (fractured left foot) could come off the disabled list to join Texas on Tuesday at Oakland. *OF Jim Adduci (concussion) is undergoing tests to determine if he could return from the DL. *Braves RHP Julio Teheran (13-11, 3.00 ERA) faces RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (0-0, 7.36 ERA) on Saturday afternoon. Teheran will be trying to end a personal two-game losing streak. Bonilla is making his first major league start in Bakers place. Below: Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting the game tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning, sending the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland tied his season high with six strikeouts. He has pitched seven innings in each of his last three starts, allowing no walks. Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is unable to grab the throw as Texas Rangers Michael Choice reaches first safely on a wild pitch strike out in the fifth inning on Friday, in Arlington. Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt watches as Texas Rangers Ryan Rua (16) follows through on a run-scoring ground out to third in the sixth inning. The hit, that came off a pitch from Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood, scored Rangers pinch runner Guilder Rodriguez. Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood and the Rangers Derek Holland (not in picture) each allowed one run in seven innings.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:51:50 +0000
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