It was a nerve-wracking game through all 11 innings, but it was a nerve-wracking game that the Rangers came out on top of with a 5-4 victory. That improved their record to 7-11 and they finished the road trip 3-5. There was a lot that happened in this game, but the most important thing was that they finally got a hit with runners in scoring position. All weekend long they had been scoring in a variety of ways like wild pitches, walks, hit by pitch, sacrifice fly, and fielders choice groundout. The only hit they had with runners in scoring position was an infield single by Prince Fielder on Friday night that he barely beat out. That changed though in the most opportune moment. Mitch Moreland came through with two outs in the ninth with a single through the right side of the infield to score Delino Deshields Jr. It was a great series of at-bats in the 9th. The first two hitters had recorded outs, but then Prince Fielder singled, Adrian Beltre singled, and then Mitch Moreland tied the game with his single. The game remain tied till the 11th when Leonys Martin hit a home run that landed in the front row of seats in right field to make the score 4-3. Then another two out rally happened. It started with a walk by Adam Rosales, who had come on to pinch run for Adrian Beltre, and then Mitch Moreland hit another single. Elvis Andrus was then able to reach on an error by Erick Aybar and that allowed Adam Rosales to score. Feliz who had come on in the 10th, stayed out for the 11th and allowed 1 run, but was able to close it out 5-4.

It was a great win in a season that has not had many of them, but it exhibited the quality that manager Jeff Banister is trying to impart on this team and that is never ever quit. Yesterday, the Rangers never quit. Even when the Angels had come back to not only tie it, but go ahead in the 8th, the Rangers never quit. They kept playing till the 27th out. Hopefully, a win like this can spur a good stretch on this upcoming homestand. They definitely need it. A 4-2 homestand would get them closer to being back at .500. A 5-1 homestand would put them right at .500. Lets hope they can take this momentum into this important series against the Mariners.

Finally, Nick Martinez will get lost in the shuffle of the comeback, but he pitched well once again. He maneuvered his way through different jams, and did not allow a run. Make that 26 innings and only 1 earned run. He has not allowed an earned run in 3 of his 4 starts.  It has been remarkable to see him pitch this way. Martinez may not have got the win, but the team improved to 4-0 in the games he pitches and 3-11 when anyone else pitches. He is keeping this team afloat with every appearance that he makes. He has been not only their best pitcher, but one of the best pitchers in the AL in the first month of the season. Hopefully for this team’s sake he can continue it, because reinforcements are not on their way for probably another month or so.

Now the team comes home for a 6 game homestand that starts tonight against the Seattle Mariners and then with 3 this weekend against the Oakland A’s.