Cole Hamels put the team on his back and put an end to a three-game losing streak with punctuation—seven innings, nine strikeouts, one hit, no runs.

Call the jeweler, Hamels just cut a gem.

To beat a guy with an ERA of 0.55, you need a pitcher who is even better than that. And last night, Cole Hamels was.

He threw seven shutout innings, seven dominating shutout innings, while the offense behind him scored three runs off a pitcher who hadn’t given up more than one run a game all season.

When it was over, the offense scored two more, the bullpen gave up its obligatory run, and the Rangers won 5-1. It was a badly needed win after three miserable losses in a row to Toronto.

The Rangers beat a guy who was 5-0. Now they face a guy who is 0-4.

Come on, baseball, don’t be so basebally today. Be predictable for once.

*****
TODAY’S GAME.

A. J. Griffin (3-0, 2.32) vs. Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.68)
Game time: 12:10

How the Rangers hit against Pelfrey.
How the Tigers hit against Griffin.