Nick Tepesch Shuts Down the Tampa Bay Rays in Debut, Rangers Win 6-1

Texas Rangers rookie Nick Tepesch pitched into the eighth inning in his major league debut last night to lead the Texas Rangers past the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1.

Tepesch allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings with four hits and five strikeouts. The only run for Tampa was driven in by Ben Zobrist in the third inning.

Lance Berkman led Texas at the plate going three for four with two RBI and Elvis Andrus drove two runs also.

Berkman drove in the first run of the game for Texas to take the lead in the third inning scoring Ian Kinsler and Leyonis Martin.

Andrus would add to the lead in the 5^th with an RBI single scoring Martin and Adrian Beltre would drive Andrus in off a fielder’s choice ground out to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead.

The Rangers go for the sweep this afternoon against the Rays. Derek Holland is on the mound for the Rangers opposite Rays lefty Matt Moore. First pitch from Rangers Ballpark is set for 1:05 p.m.