A rocky fourth inning led to 5 runs against Complete Game James Shields, who had his second worst outing of the season, while the Rangers held off a Rays charge at the end to pull out an 8-6 victory, evening the best-of-five series at a game a piece.
For Texas, Ian Kinsler, Mike Napoli and Mitch Moreland each batted in two runs as winning starter Derrick Holland worked 5 innings, leaving with 3 earned runs.
The Rays battled back on the strength of Evan Longoria’s three run blast in the seventh to pull within 7-6 but Moreland’s home run gave the Rangers the distance they needed.
Neftali Feliz worked an uneventful 9th, walking one batter but getting Longoria and Ben Zobrist to fly out to retire the game.
Shields worked 5 innings, surrendering 8 hits and 7 earned runs.
The focus shifts to Tropicana Field for Game Three Monday Afternoon.