SAN DIEGO -- David Murphy had a two-run single with two outs in the first inning Monday night, and Matt Harrison and three relievers made it stand up as the Rangers opened a three-game series against the Padres with a 2-1 victory.
The Rangers have won four straight games and seven of their past eight to improve to 41-27.
Harrison (9-3) was lucky to allow just a run in the first inning, which started with the first three Padres delivering hits. The third was a double off the center-field wall by Chase Headley, but only one run scored as the base runners held up as Leonys Martin chased the ball.
Runners were at second and third with no outs, but Harrison got the next three hitters to end the inning.
He and Padres starter Jason Marquis settled in, though San Diego had the bases loaded with two outs in the sixth and failed to score.
Harrison, who became the fifth pitcher in the majors to reach nine victories, left after the sixth inning. Mark Lowe blew away the Padres in the seventh, and Mike Adams survived a sloppy return to Petco Park in a scoreless eighth inning.
Joe Nathan registered his 14th save of the season by pitching around a pair of two-out singles.
-- Jeff Wilson
Comments