Texas Rangers Survive Tampa Bay Rays Rally, Joe Nathan Earns Career Save 300

Alexi Ogando threw 5 1/3 innings giving up 1 run and A.J. Pierzynski and Mitch Moreland hit back-to-back home runs to help the Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Monday night.

Texas broke open a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth with the back-to-back homers for a 3-1 lead and increased the lead to 5-1 in the seventh inning off a Elvis Andrus two RBI single.

The Rays rallied in the eighth with two runs off a bases loaded walk from Derek Lowe and Ben Zobrist scoring off a fielder choice ground out from Yunel Escobar.

Rangers closer Joe Nathan picked up career save No. 300 after giving up a run off a Sean Rodriguez single. Texas improves to 5-2 on the season while Tampa Bay falls to 3-4.

Before the game Monday night, the Rangers acquired catcher Robinson Chirinos from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named or cash.

Chirinos had been designated for assignment on March 31st when the Rays set their opening day roster.