2011 Rangers sweep; Bracket 2, Round 3 next
Nelson Cruz hit three home runs over four games and the 2011 Rangers advanced to Round 3 of the MLB Dream Bracket 2: Dream Seasons tournament with a sweep of the '02 Angels.
Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson set the tone for a Rangers pitching staff that held the Angels to four runs over the first three games. Texas takes on the 2001 Mariners next, facing a team that won 116 regular-season games. Seattle advanced by beating the 1988 A's in five games.
The Angels had advanced by taking down the 1983 Orioles in seven games in Round 1, but they could never really get enough offense going against the Rangers' starters, nor could they take advantage of Texas' strong bullpen. Right-handers Francisco Rodríguez and Troy Percival each pitched just once in the series.
The simulated competition, featuring many of the greatest teams in baseball history, is being produced by Out of the Park Baseball 21, MLB's most realistic strategy game (PC and Mac).
• Complete Dream Bracket 2 rosters
The 2011 Rangers are holding on to the Texas banner after the 1996 squad lost to the 2004 Red Sox in their Round 2 matchup.
Game 1, Rangers 5, Angels 1
Wilson pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings to get the win at Globe Life Park. He walked five but allowed just three hits and struck out four. Relievers Mike Adams and Alexi Ogando, who was credited with the save, finished it out. The game was scoreless until Cruz hit a three-run home run off Jarrod Washburn in the fifth. Adrián Beltré added a home run in the sixth and a sacrifice fly after Michael Young’s triple in the eighth.
Game 2, Rangers 6, Angels 2
In a pitching matchup of Angels right-hander Ramon Ortiz and Rangers lefty Derek Holland, the game was tied at 2 going into the seventh before Cruz put Texas ahead with a home run in the seventh. Josh Hamilton’s two-run double helped the Rangers break it open with three runs in the eighth.
Game 3, Rangers 4, Angels 1
The Angels returned home, but the Rangers scored three runs in the first and rode the pitching of Colby Lewis to the win. Lewis allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
Right-hander Kevin Appier started for the Angels, but he walked Ian Kinsler on four pitches to start the game. Kinsler went to third on Elvis Andrus’ single and scored when Halos third baseman Troy Glaus committed an error on Michael Young’s grounder. Hamilton and Beltré followed with RBI doubles.
Game 4, Rangers 7, Angels 6
Back-to-back home runs from Cruz and Mike Napoli put the Rangers ahead in the fourth inning. Glaus had a first-inning grand slam for the Angels, and they led 5-4 going into the fourth.
But starter John Lackey, who gave up four runs in the top of the first, gave up a game-tying home run to Cruz to lead off the fourth. Lackey was replaced by Ben Weber, who gave up the go-ahead home run to Napoli.
Napoli also had a three-run double off Lackey in the first. Rangers starter Matt Harrison allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings but six relievers combined to hold the Angels to one run over the final 6 1/3 frames.