By: Tyler Ward
Are the Yankees not going to make their third straight World Series? It's sure looking that way. I'm not going to say the Rangers are going to win because frankly, anything can happen if the 2004 Red Sox showed us anything. But, it's sure looking like the Yankees aren't showing any heart or passion and it looks like they could care less.
On Tuesday night, the Rangers blasted four home runs and beat the Yankees 10-3. The Rangers now have a commanding 3-1 series lead and could possibly close out the series in Game 5. The series is now rather lopsided in favor of the Rangers.
The matchup featured Tommy Hunter against A.J. Burnett, who has struggled this season. Most people already though (including myself) that the Rangers would win the game, simply because Burnett was pitching for the Yankees. And if you haven't watched much baseball season, then you don't know that Burnett has struggled mightily this year and has had one of the worst seasons for a Yankees pitcher, statistically. So, automatically, the Yankees were behind.
Rangers catcher Bengie Molina hit a three-run home run off of the great Burnett in sixth inning (please note that it was sarcasm). MVP candidate Josh Hamilton hit two home runs in the game to help seal the Rangers' victory.
It was thought to be an interesting game in the second inning when the Yankees' Robinson Cano hit a solo home run in the first inning. However, the Rangers answered back in the third inning when Elvis Andrus grounded out to first, but David Murphy scored on the play to tie the game up at 1-1. Michael Young also hit an infield single in the third and scored Molina. In the previous two games, the Rangers did not give up a lead when they had it, so many thought that the Rangers would pull away.
But, the Yankees weren't done. In the bottom of the third, Curtis Granderson hit an infield single and scored Derek Jeter. At that point, the game seemed interesting and the game was tied up once again. The Yankees would actually take a lead in the fourth when Brett Gardner grounded into a fielder's choice - Cano was out at third, Lance Berkman advanced to second, and Alex Rodriguez scored to give the Yankees the lead at 3-2.
However, the Yankees would not put up any more runs on the board. With the Rangers down 3-2, Bengie Molina hit a three-run shot in the sixth inning to give the Rangers a two-run advantage. They would not look back.
Molina, after the game, had a funny comment for the reporters after the game, stating, "It's not bad for a fat kid that everyone makes fun of when he runs."
Hamilton started off his great night in the seventh with a solo shot to put the Rangers up 6-3. Later in the inning, Ian Kinsler would single and score Nelson Cruz.
In the ninth, Hamilton would step up to the plate and hit another solo home run to give him two on the night. Even with a 9-3 lead, the Rangers still weren't done. Cruz would add to the barrage of home runs, hitting a solo home run of his own. The Rangers would hold on to that 10-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth and the game would be over.
A.J. Burnett, who signed an $82.5 million contract with the Yankees, hasn't been pitching like it. He lost seven of his previous eight starts and was taken out of the starting rotation. His start Tuesday night was his first since October 2. Burnett pitched six innings and gave up six hits, resulting in five earned runs. He also walked three and struck out four batters. The Rangers' starter, Tommy Hunter, also struggled, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs in the process. Derek Holland would receive the win for the Rangers, as he pitched 3.2 innings and was nearly perfect. He gave up one hit, along with two walks and three strikeouts. Darren Oliver pitched 1.2 innings and got the save for Texas.
Texas is now just one game away from advancing to the franchise's first World Series. They are now just one step closer from beating the 27-time world champions. But, as stated above, I'm not going to count the Yankees out just yet. Even though they are one game away from winning the series, there is still a long way to go for the young Rangers.
Nelson Cruz, a key player for the Rangers, said after the game, "We're going to keep focused. We haven't done anything yet."
C.J. Wilson, Game 5's probable starter for the Rangers, mentioned after the game, "Tomorrow's game is the most important game in the history of this franchise." Yes it is, C.J. This is by far the most important game for the Rangers this season.
The Yankees will be without power-hitter Mark Teixeira for the rest of the postseason as the first baseman suffered a hamstring injury in the loss Tuesday. It's a big loss to the Yankees, who could struggle even more without one of their best players. The Yankees better hope that the injury will generate some new people in the lineup and hopefully, they can get a spark, along with a Game 5 victory.
