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2011-07-19 14:53:32
The Texas Rangers have never gotten pitching like this – at least over a five-game span.
In extending their winning streak to a major league-best 11 games with Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners, the Rangers built on an unprecedented stretch of pitching brilliance.
They held the Mariners to 20 hits and two runs in a four-game sweep at Safeco Field, and going back to their 2-0 shutout of the Oakland A's the Sunday before the All-Star Game, Texas pitchers have allowed two runs in their last five games, the team's fewest ever in such a spell.
"This whole streak we're on right now is really because of what they have done. They've been great," first baseman Mitch Moreland said of the team's staff. "When you are pitching like that it's fun to go out and play behind those guys and be a part of it."
Nitpickers may point out the lowly Mariners have lost nine in a row and have scored the fewest runs in the majors, so shutting them down is hardly akin to blanking the 1927 Yankees. And yes, all 11 games in the Rangers' have come against teams with a losing record – the Mariners, A's and Baltimore Orioles, who are a combined 123-160.
The Rangers may get a tougher challenge when they travel to Anaheim on Tuesday for the beginning of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, who trail Texas by four games in the AL West.
But keep in mind the A's hung an 8-spot on the Angels in the first inning Sunday, and just before the break those same A's were shut out twice by a Rangers rotation that is getting outstanding performances from Derek Holland and Matt Harrison, two young lefties who had previously failed to live up to expectations.
On Sunday, Harrison allowed the Mariners one run in 7 2/3 innings to lower his ERA to 2.91, best among the Texas starters.
Holland, who will pitch the middle game of the Angels series, has thrown shutouts his last two times out.
"These guys in the rotation that didn't realize their potential are realizing it now and understanding what they are capable of doing," second baseman Ian Kinsler told MLB.com.
The Rangers have outscored opponents 70-24 during their hot spell, posting a collective ERA of 2.09 while limiting opposing hitters to a .194 batting average.
In June of last season, the Rangers surged into first place for good with a stretch of 14 victories in 15 games, including an 11-win streak that fell three short of the team record.
This year's edition, with its lineup finally healthy and its youthful pitching staff taking over, seems to be following that same path.
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