Slumping Rangers turn to Lee to extend Series - Washington Post

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers are counting on Cliff Lee to keep the San Francisco Giants from celebrating a World Series championship deep in the heart of Texas.

After Giants rookie Madison Bumgarner delivered a Lee-like performance - against a normally potent lineup slumping at the worst possible time - Texas is in a 3-1 hole in the best-of-seven series.

"I don't think discouragement is the right word," Michael Young said after a 4-0 loss Sunday night. "Obviously, we know we're capable of more."

To extend their first World Series, the Rangers need ace left-hander Lee to make the most of his second chance in Game 5 on Monday night in a rematch against Tim Lincecum.

It might be the last start in Texas for free agent-to-be, who in the opener of this series absorbed his first loss over two dominating postseasons.

"I certainly hope he'll do better (Monday). We feel pretty good about him being out there," manager Ron Washington said. "Once again, we've got to put some runs on the board."

Texas managed only three singles in eight innings off Madison Bumgarner before Giants closer Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth in Game 4.

The Rangers, who lost 9-0 in Game 2 at San Francisco, are the first team to be shut out twice in a World Series since the 1966 Dodgers failed to score in the last three games while being swept by Baltimore.

Texas was scoreless at home only once during the regular season.

"There's really no reason to be deflated," Ian Kinsler said. "It's pretty simple. We win, we move on to the next game. Emotions are taken out of it. You play the game the right way and hopefully you end up scoring more runs."

Lee was 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA in eight career postseason starts going into Game 1 of the World Series, but he allowed eight hits and seven runs over 4 2-3 innings in his shortest postseason start. He had never given up more runs or hits.

"I get a chance to redeem myself against the team that actually put it to me pretty good last time," Lee said before Game 4. "I'm looking forward to it. I've been working hard - it's basically the last start of the season for me - and I want to do everything I can to help this team win the World Series."

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