The Rangers used the long ball to jump out to a 6-0 lead over the Rays with home runs from Ian Kinsler and Michael Young while youngster CJ Wilson threw like a postseason veteran, allowing only two hits and zero runs in 6 1/3 innings including a string of five innings without any hits.
James Shields was chased in the fifth inning after allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings. "Big Game" James Shields did not live up to his name when the Rays needed it the most, already down 1-0 in a best-of-five series.
Manager Joe Madden was ejected in the fifth inning after arguing a controversial call on a check swing by Michael Young that kept his at bat alive in which he would go on to hit a three-run home run on the next pitch.
Tampa Bay had a rally in the seventh that fell short after Jason Bartlett flied out to centerfield with two outs and the bases loaded. This key moment could have been a turning point for the Rays but instead gave momentum back to the Rangers.
With the Rays now down 0-2 in the best-of-five series the mountain that they need to climb is larger than ever. Every game from now on will be a game 7 that they need to win which is not the position that Manager John Madden or any other player thought they would be in after finishing with the best record in the American League.
Game 3 will take place at the Ballpark in Arlington as the Rangers will send out Colby Lewis to try and finish the job against Rays starter Matt Garza.
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