The Texas Rangers (23-36) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (36-23) 5-4 on Friday night in Arlington, Texas.
Texas got a run in the third inning but opened things up in the fourth inning, getting RBIs from Nate Lowe, Charlie Cluberson and Willie Calhoun. Joey Gallo hit a home run in the fifth inning to give the Rangers five runs, which would prove to be enough. The Rays got a two-run homer from Brandon Lowe in the eighth and a two run single from Brett Phillips in the ninth to pull within 5-4, but that was as close as the Rays would get as Ian Kennedy shut the door for his twelfth save for the Rangers.
Kyle Gibson (4-0, 2.06) kept the Rays in check, pitching five and a third shutout innings on five hits while striking out five and walking none. Josh Fleming (5-4, 3.44) pitched seven innings in which he allowed five earned runs on ten hits while striking out two and walking none.
The Rays now look to even up the three game series when they meet the Rangers in game two of the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for 4:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Neil Solondz at 3:30 on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES