:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49981577/usa-today-9359934.0.jpg)
Tonight's baseball game was basically the best. No drama. No Yankee machinations. No eight hours of waiting. Just a drubbing from Texas.
Adrian Beltre hit a two-run home run to give Cole Hamels a cushion in the first inning and the Rangers never looked back. With no rain forthcoming, the Yankees had no way of stopping the Rangers from administering destruction tonight.
Beltre, fresh off hitting the eventual game-winning RBI single in this morning's game, went 3 for 5 with 3 RBI and made his usual effortless defensive gems. Hamels struck out seven Yankees, was efficient and methodical (and as handsome as ever), as he continued to be the guy the Rangers gave up a ton of talent to acquire.
Ian Desmond also went 3 for 5 because he's apparently decided he wants to win the AL MVP award this season. Prince Fielder even smacked a couple of hits, including an RBI double, as he extended his hitting streak to ten games and continued to give hope that he can contribute after his season-long slump.
Hamels has now won four straight decisions, is 9-1 on the year, has an ERA of 2.60, and will probably be on the All-Star team. Heck, why not make it a Cy Young season for the first time in franchise history? Is that asking too much? Everything else is working out.
Player of the Game: Hamels was nearly 2010 ALCS Game 3 Cliff Lee ruthless tonight as he shut down the Yankees for seven innings and probably only left after 86 pitches because the Rangers gave him half price pizza to work with.
Up Next: The Rangers face a stiff challenge to their current winning streak as they face RHP Masahiro Tanaka with Nick Martinez making his third start of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT.