 Texas Rangers are going to their first World Series!
Nederlands
ARLINGTON, Texas (USA) -
The Texas Rangers defeated the New York Yankees 6-1 in Game 6 to win the best-of-seven American League Championship Series 4-2 to reach the World Series for the first time in history.
With this, the Yankees were dethroned as reigning champion.
The Rangers will open the World Series next Wednesday at the site of the National League-champion.
A few minutes before game time, it started to rain heavily briefly and then later in the first innings, there was some more rain, but the game started almost on time and in the end could be played without problems.
The Yankees were first on base, but the Rangers were the first to score.
In the opening at bat, Curtis Granderson walked with one out by starter Colby Lewis, but then was caught stealing with two outs.
In the home of the first, Yankee-starter Phil Hughes gave up a lead-off double to Elvis Andrus, who then advanced to third base on an one-out single by Josh Hamilton and scored on a grounder by Vladimir Guerrero.
Lewis retired the side in both the second and third inning, while Hughes did the same in the second, but walked lead-off hitter Mitch Moreland in the third.
With two outs, it was decided to walk Josh Hamilton intentionally, but then Hughes threw a wild pitch on the first delivery to enable Moreland to reach third base.
Hereafter, the intentional was completed and the inning ended when Vladimir Guerrero flied out.
The Yankees came alongside in the fifth inning.
Alex Rodriguez led off with a double, then advanced when Lance Berkman flied out and scored on a wild pitch.
With two outs, Jorge Posada also doubled, but he stranded when Marcus Thames struckout.
The Rangers then broke open the game in the home of the fifth inning by scoring four runs with two outs.
Mitch Moreland led off with a single, but the two grounders followed, which brought the runner to third base.
Next, Josh Hamilton was walked intentionally again, but this time it didn't work.
Vladimir Guerrero, who didn't had a big hit yet, drove the ball into centerfield for 2-run double and put Texas ahead again, 3-1.
Hereafter, Phil Hughes was relieved by David Robertson, but then Nelson Cruz hit a 2-run homerun to make it 5-1.
Another double by Ian Kinsler followed, but then a groundout ended the inning.
The Yankees were retired in order again in the sixth, but so were the Rangers in their sixth by new pitcher Kerry Wood.
In the seventh inning, Lance Berkman tripled for New York with two outs, but was left at third base.
In the home of the seventh, the Rangers added another run.
Michael Young led off with a double, then Josh Hamilton was walked intentionally for the third time.
The runners then advanced on a groundout by Vladimir Guerrero, then Nelson Cruz was also walked intentionally to load the bases again.
But now a sacrifice fly by Ian Kinsler followed to increase the lead to 6-1.
In the top of the eighth inning, Colby Lewis (who was 12-13 in the regular season and played in Japan last year) struckout Jorge Posada and Marcus Thames, then walked Brett Gardner, but finished by striking out Derek Jeter.
In the top of the ninth inning, closer Neftali Feliz took over the pitching for Colby Lewis.
The 22-year old righthander started by striking out Curtis Granderson, next Robinson Cano grounded out.
Then, it was the ultimate moment in the game when Felix ended the game by striking out former Ranger Alex Rodriguez (called).
The Rangers are going to the World Series for the first time in franchise history!
After the celebrations, the Championship Trophy was presented to Team President Nolan Ryan, who was handed the trophy by Jackie Autry, Honorary President of the American League and the widow of actor/singer Gene Autry, who was the owner of the California Angels when Nolan Ryan was one of the pitchers there, before coming to Texas.
Next, Mrs. Autry handed the ALCS MVP Trophy to Josh Hamilton.
(October 22)
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