Texas Rangers

Nelson Cruz hits solo homer to narrow gap to 3-1

The Rangers needed something, anything against Tim Lincecum after falling behind 3-0 in the top of the seventh. Nelson Cruz delivered with a solo homer that put a little life back in what was a stunned Rangers Ballpark. Lincecum still has good stuff, as he struck out the side, and has thrown 92 pitches.

Cliff Lee is out. He is running the risk of losing both of his World Series starts. Neftali Feliz enters.

Due up for the Giants: Torres (1 for 3), Sanchez (1 for 3), Posey (1 for 3).

-- Jeff Wilson

Renteria hits three-run homer in seventh to break scoreless tie

Edgar Renteria just moved the Rangers within nine outs of elimination in the World Series. The veteran shortstop hit a three-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning, snapping a scoreless tie and putting San Francisco in control of Game 5 of the World Series.

The homer came off Cliff Lee, who allowed singles to Cody Ross and Juan Uribe to start the inning. They were a second and third after the first sacrifice bunt of Aubrey Huff's career, but Lee struck out Pat Burrell for the second out. Renteria, though, got ahead 2-0 in the count and hit a hanging cut fastball just over the wall in left-center field.

Tim Lincecum has allowed two hits. The Rangers need a bunch more than that if they want to keep their season alive.

Due up for the Rangers: Guerrero (0 for 2), Cruz (0 for 2), Kinsler (0 for 2).

-- Jeff Wilson

Leadoff single not a problem for Lincecum

The Rangers' half of the sixth inning started with a lot of promise -- a Mitch Moreland single with the top of the order coming up -- but Tim Lincecum dashed any chance at a rally with three quick outs. Elvis Andrus followed Moreland, but didn't bunt. Instead, manager Ron Washington called for a hit and run, and Andrus lined out to center field. Michael Young also hit a line drive to center that Aaron Rowand flagged down, and Josh Hamilton grounded out to end the inning.

All that happened in seven pitches.

Due up for the Giants: Ross (0 for 2), Uribe (0 for 2), Huff (0 for 2).

-- Jeff Wilson

Cruz catch at wall ends Giants' sixth

Nelson Cruz, who a batter early dived for a soft line by Freddy Sanchez and had the ball hit off his right forearm, made a leaping catch just in front of the wall in right-center field on a Buster Posey drive to end the top of the sixth. It's still Rangers 0, Giants 0.

Due up for the Rangers: Moreland (0 for 0, BB), Andrus (0 for 2), Young (1 for 2).

-- Jeff Wilson

That was quick: Rangers out in order in fifth

Tim Lincecum continues to match Cliff Lee zero for zero in Game 5 of the World Series, and Lincecum has been a tick better than the Rangers' left-hander. Lincecum went through Ian Kinsler, David Murphy and Bengie Molina on eight pitches. Murphy has struck out in both his at-bats on six pitches.

Due up for the Giants: Rowand (0 for 1), Torres (1 for 2), Sanchez (0 for 2).

-- Jeff Wilson

Moreland error erased by double play

The Giants got a break to start the fifth inning, as Mitch Moreland dropped a throw from Ian Kinsler on a bang-bang play at first base, but Cliff Lee got Pat Burrell swinging (no shock there) and Edgar Renteria to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Lee threw 12 pitches in the inning and is at 63. Tim Lincecum starts the bottom of the fifth at 53 pitches and locked in a scoreless tie.

Due up for the Rangers: Kinsler (0 for 1), Murphy (0 for 1), Molina (0 for 1).

-- Jeff Wilson

Game 5 heads to fifth inning with no score

The Rangers collected their first hit of Game 5 against Tim Lincecum, a ground single by Michael Young to start the bottom of the fourth, but Lincecum got the next three hitters to keep the game scoreless entering the fifth inning. Five of the past six outs recorded by Lincecum have been strikeouts.

Due up for the Giants: Huff (0 for 1), Burrell (0 for 1), Renteria (0 for 1).

-- Jeff Wilson

Perfect fourth inning for Cliff Lee

Buster Posey opened the fourth inning with an 11-pitch at-bat, which ended in a groundout to start a 1-2-3 inning for Cliff Lee. The left-hander threw 18 pitches in the inning and is at 51. Tim Lincecum, meanwhile, opens the bottom of the fourth at 34 pitches.

Due up for the Rangers: Young (0 for 1), Hamilton (0 for 1), Guerrero (0 for 1).

-- Jeff Wilson

Lincecum strikes out side in third

The Rangers have their first base runner in Game 5 -- Mitch Moreland, who drew a two-out walk -- but are still searching for their first hit against Tim Lincecum. That's tough to do if you keep swinging and missing. Lincecum struck out David Murphy, Bengie Molina and, after Moreland walked, Elvis Andrus in the third inning. Lincecum has been been dominant so far.

Due up for the Giants: Posey (1 for 1), Ross (0 for 1), Uribe (0 for 1).

-- Jeff Wilson

Lee flashes glove to end third

Andres Torres had a two-out single in the third, and Freddy Sanchez followed with a liner up the middle. Cliff Lee, though, extended his right arm and snagged the line drive before it could do any damage. Lee has thrown 33 pitches in three scoreless innings. The Giants have two hits. The Rangers are still seeking their first against Tim Lincecum.

Due up for the Rangers: David Murphy, Bengie Molina, Mitch Moreland.

-- Jeff Wilson