Arlington, TX (Sports Network) – Cliff Lee pitched 8 1/3 solid frames for his first win in a Texas uniform, leading the Rangers past the AL West rival Angels, 3-2, in the first of four games.
In just his third start for Texas since being traded from Seattle, Lee (9-4) scattered five hits and struck out four in the victory. He finally pitched well at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington after posting a 7.33 ERA in eight previous starts at his new home. Michael Young hit a solo home run and Nelson Cruz finished 2-for-4 for the Rangers, who have won four of five.
Jered Weaver (9-6) took the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks over six frames. Mike Napoli finished 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the Angels, who have lost two straight and three of four.
Texas scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first on Young’s home run to right. The Angels tied the game in the fifth on doubles by Hideki Matsui and Maicer Izturis.
Texas went in front for good in the bottom of the sixth. Vladimir Guerrero doubled and scored on Josh Hamilton’s two-bagger past Torii Hunter in center. He moved to third on Cruz’s infield hit and raced home on Bengie Molina’s sacrifice fly to center.
Napoli’s home run in the seventh made it a 3-2 game, but the Angels didn’t get a hit the rest of the way. Neftali Feliz retired the final two batters for his 26th save.
Lee sports an AL-best 2.56 earned run average…Weaver fell to 1-4 at Rangers Ballpark and the Angels have lost each of his last seven starts there….Texas owns a 4-2 series edge this season…Napoli hit his 18th home run of the season, while Young clubbed his 13th for the Rangers…Cruz stole his 12th base of the campaign.