It is the start of the Major League Baseball post-season. The playoffs starts with the American League Division Series (ALDS) pitting the streaking Tampa Bay Rays and the AL West Champs Texas Rangers. The hot Rays started with rookie pitcher Matt Moore who was starting a major league game for only the second time in his career.
The rookie only allowed 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 Rangers in 7 innings to lead the 9-0 shut out. Kelly Shoppach hit 2 homers against C.J. Wilson while Johnny Damon added another one to provide all the offense that Moore need; although, with the way the rookie was pitching, a single run would have just won the game. The Rays now hold a 1-0 advantage and practically bring the home field advantage to Florida.
The ALDS game between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees was rained out at the bottom of the 2nd inning with 1-all score. The suspension of the game wasted the starts of leading Cy YOung candidate Justin Verlander and NY ace C.C. Sabathia.
Related articles
- Moore, Rays shut out Rangers in ALDS opener (canada.com)
- ALDS Game 1: Texas Rangers Are in Trouble After Losing to Rays 9-0 (bleacherreport.com)
- ALDS Schedule: Joe Maddon’s Unorthodox Style Makes Rays Dark Horse in Playoffs (bleacherreport.com)
- MLB Playoffs 2011: C.J. Wilson’s Awful Start No Reason for Panic (bleacherreport.com)
- Rays rookie Matt Moore dominates Rangers in Game 1 of ALDS (denverpost.com)
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