Texas Rangers Fall in Extra Innings

The Texas Rangers had a chance to extend their AL-West lead and take the series, but were not able to hold off the Tampa Bay Rays as they lost 5-4 in extra innings.

Ian Kinsler made things interesting when he hit his second solo homer of the game in the ninth inning off Rays closer Kyle Farnsworth to give the Rangers life and tie the game, but Mark Lowe could not keep Desmond Jennings from ending things, as the rookie outfielder hit a walk-off homer in the 10^th inning on the first pitch he saw to give Texas the 5-4 loss.

The defeat dropped the Rangers to 16-22 in one-run games and 4-5 in extra-inning contests this season. The loss also spoiled starting pitcher Derek Holland’s third consecutive quality start, as the 24-year-old left-hander allowed four runs (three earned) and struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings of work.

Kinsler has seven homers over his past seven games and has an AL-leading 15 home runs since the All-Star break. Interestingly enough, he has hit 13 of his 28 home runs against AL East pitching and only five vs. AL West pitchers.

Texas will have Thursday off, before returning back to the Ball Park in Arlington Friday evening for the opening game of a weekend series against the Oakland Athletics.