Texas bullpen holds big lead in Game 2

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas

The Rangers relievers got quick redemption, and Texas finally has won a postseason game at home for the first time in its 50-season history.

Elvis Andrus got the Rangers off to a running start, David Murphy led a parade of extra-base hits and the bullpen that faltered the night before held strong this time as Texas got even in the AL championship series with a 7-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 on Saturday.

The Rangers again built an early 5-0 lead — and stayed ahead this time, unlike the series opener when the Yankees had their biggest postseason comeback in the seventh inning or later. Texas snapped a 10-game postseason losing streak against New York.

The best-of-seven series now switches to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 on Monday night, when Texas will have hired ace left-hander Cliff Lee on the mound. Lee has won his last four starts in New York, including a complete game for Philadelphia in last year’s World Series.

Colby Lewis limited New York to two runs over 52/3 innings and the bullpen rebounded the eighth-inning debacle in Game 1 that allowed the Yankees to escape with a 6-5 victory.

Andrus led off the first with an infield single on a chopper that deflected off starter Phil Hughes’ glove. Andrus went to second on a wild pitch, then stole third before Josh Hamilton drew a walk.

With Nelson Cruz batting and two outs, Hamilton took off for second base, and Andrus ran home when Jorge Posada threw the ball to second. The double-steal put Texas up 1-0 before Cruz’s inning-ending strikeout.

Murphy homered off the facade of the second deck of seats in the second for a 2-0 lead, then an inning later he and Bengie Molina had consecutive RBI doubles to make it 5-0.

Robinson Cano homered for New York, his 435-foot solo shot deep in the second deck of seats in right making it 7-2 in the sixth.

Cano also again scored the first Yankees run, leading off the fourth with a double, moving to third on a wild pitch by Lewis and scoring on an RBI single by Lance Berkman.