Rangers Sweep Astros in DH

  The Rangers strike first in both games and never trail in a doubleheader sweep of the second-place Dayton Astros, winning 8-4 in game one and 9-3 in the nightcap.

Jacob Robinson started for the Rangers in game one and pitched six effective innings, improving his record to 9-1 on the season. Jacob’s ninth victory of the season ties the all-time MVABL single-season record for wins with former Astros pitcher Tony Walters, who won 9 games in 2001.

The Rangers got to Astros starter Jason Joyce as Jacob Robinson, Jonmarc Lippincott and Brad Clark all singled, prompting the Astros coach to turn the ball over to Mike Leach on the mound. Brent Collinsworth singled with one out to drive in a run and Jeremy Lippincott reached on a fielder’s choice to drive in the fifth run of the inning. Shane Fallen single in a run in the 3^rd inning for a 6-0 Rangers lead.

The Astros got a pair of runs back on a botched double play attempt in the fourth inning. Astros 3B Dustin Vincent hit a sac fly in the fifth to cut the lead in half at 6-3. PJ Dobbins singled in a run in the sixth inning to make it a 6-4 score. However, the Rangers got a couple of insurance runs in the top of the seventh on a sac fly by Clark and an RBI single by Collinsworth. Jim Brown pitched a scoreless seventh for the Rangers.

In game two, James Robinson started off the scoring for the Rangers in the bottom of the first with a two-run single and later scored on a wild pitch. Bryan Leach, who started on the mound in game two, helped his own cause in the third with a double with two outs, and stole third and scored on a wild pitch. The Rangers got the run right back in the bottom of the third as Brad Clark led the inning off with his first career triple, and later scored on a sac fly by Brent Collinsworth. The Rangers broke it open in the fourth, scoring four times on RBI singles by Jim Brown, Jonmarc Lippincott, Brad Clark, and James Robinson. The Astros final two runs came on a two-run single by Bryan Leach in the seventh.

Brad Clark went the distance on the mound for the Rangers allowing four hits and striking out four to improve his record to 5-4 on the season.

Offensive highlights: Brad Clark 5-for-6, 3RBI, 2B, 3B, Sac, 2 runs; Jonmarc Lippincott 4-for-8, 4 runs, RBI, 2B; James Robinson 3-for-7 3RBI; Brent Collinsworth 3-for-6 3RBI, Sac; Shane Fallen 4-for-6 2RBI; Clint Wolf 1-for-6, 4 runs.

Defensive highlights: At one point in game two, third baseman Shane Fallen recorded five straight outs at third base.

Historical Notes: Jacob’s 77 2/3 innings pitched places him 5^th all-time for inning pitched in a single season. Clint’s 33 runs scored ties him for 8^th all-time for runs scored in a single season (matches last season’s total). Jonmarc’s 32 runs scored places him tied for 10^th in a single season. Jake’s 18 walks are most for a Ranger during the regular season since Jake Kingsolver had 19 in 2002 (Rangers record during regular season is 23 by Mark Windle in 1997).