Phillies 3 - 4 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Papelbon implodes, Rangers beat Phils with 9th-inning rally

Apr 3, 2014 - 5:53 AM Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Shin-Soo Choo drew a walk to force in the game-winning run as the Texas Rangers beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, to claim the rubber match of this three-game set from Globe Life Park.

Texas trailed 3-1 heading into the ninth inning but rallied off Philadelphia closer Jonathan Papelbon (0-1). Adrian Beltre singled to lead things off and Mitch Moreland doubled to put two runners on for pinch-hitter Jim Adduci, who reached on an infield single and plated Beltre. Leonys Martin then slapped a single past Chase Utley at second base to tie the score, and Papelbon issued consecutive walks to Donnie Murphy and Choo to force in the decisive run.

"We've got a lot more games to play," said Papelbon. "Obviously it's disappointing. I thought (Kyle) Kendrick pitched well enough to deserve that win. Unfortunately, the bullpen wasn't able to preserve it for him."

It was the second straight game that Texas won on its final at-bat. Beltre delivered the final blow with a single to right-center in the Rangers' 3-2 win on Tuesday.

"That's why you play nine innings," said Texas manager Ron Washington. "That's what we do every night, play nine innings ... In the end, we did what we had to do. We got focused and we put some good at-bats together."

Seth Rosin (1-0) took the win after pitching two scoreless innings in relief of Robbie Ross, who yielded all three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits over five frames.

Ryan Howard homered for the first time this season, and Carlos Ruiz went 2- for-4 with two runs scored for Philadelphia.

Philly broke through in the top of the first. Ruiz, batting in the No. 2 hole for just the sixth time in his career, roped a one-out double to left. Utley followed with a single up the middle that Martin fumbled out in center, allowing Ruiz to trot home.

In the top of the third inning, Howard connected on a hanging off-speed delivery from Ross, smacking the ball over the fence in right-center field for a 3-0 Philadelphia lead.

Kendrick, who tossed seven innings of one-run ball for the Phils, retired Texas in order in the second, third and fifth innings. He kept the hosts off the scoreboard until the seventh, when Martin's single to right played Moreland, who tripled earlier in the stanza.

Game Notes

The Rangers have started 2-1 in three straight seasons ... Texas has the best record in the majors in April, 36-14, since 2012 ... Philly outfielder Marlon Byrd went 1-for-4. He has now reached base safely in 17 straight games at Globe Life Park ... Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins missed the game awaiting the birth of his child ... Kendrick has lost five straight decisions dating back to last season. He hadn't pitched into the seventh inning in his last 11 starts.






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