Karns said his struggles were “not at all” nerves or related to pitching in front of family and friends, but “rust”, though he had only one extra day since his last start. Instead, Geltz left a 3-1 fastball to DeShields over the plate with two outs in the seventh and DeShields hit it down the left-field line and into the seats.
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Tampa Bay leadoff hitter Brandon Guyer knew the Rays had a good chance of getting the call against him overturned in the third inning at Texas.
It was the first time Hamels had been back on a mound since his August. 7 start at Seattle, his second for Texas since being acquired two weeks ago in a trade from Philadelphia. Shawn Tolleson labored the ninth for his 22nd save in 23 possibilities – all since May 20.
RAYS THIRD: For the second consecutive inning, Perez gave up the lead in the inning after receiving it. Evan Longoria put the Rays ahead with a two-out, two-run double.
Texas, a -130 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Tampa Bay. There have never been four.
THE BATS: In the first, 3B Adrian Beltre grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and none out.
“Josh Hamilton, the ball he squares up, nobody ever squares that ball up on (McGee)”, Rays manager Kevin Cash said. But he walked five in his 81 pitches over 4 2/3 innings.
Tigers: LHP Kyle Lobstein (sore left shoulder) will continue his rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Toledo.
The momentum would carry over into the eighth where the Rangers ultimately took the lead.
The Rays had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 5-3 loss to the Texas Rangers Friday night, a rare game in that they didn’t come from behind to win, as they have done 24 times, and they didn’t have their bullpen star late in the game, as it has in most of their victories. LF Desmond Jennings was back in the lineup after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.
After missing the past two games, Hamilton had the exam Friday and says he can play with pain without hurting his knee more.
Having grown up in Arlington, Karns was excited to make his first “home” start, with 30 relatives and around 100 friends, former teammates and coaches expected in the stands.
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Rangers: Colby Lewis (12-5, 4.61) is coming off his eighth career complete game, the third one he has lost.
