The Rangers got what they wanted in the top of the first, and they got more of what they wanted in the bottom. An inning into this game, the home team is sitting on a 1-0 lead.
Elvis Andrus led off against Phil Hughes and lined a ball between Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson in the outfield. Granderson was able to cut it off before it reached the track, but Andrus still walked into second base for a leadoff double.
After a long at bat by Michael Young resulted in a strikeout, Josh Hamilton then singled to left to put runners on the corners. Gardner had been playing Hamilton unusually shallow, which kept Andrus where he was at third.
In stood Vladimir Guerrero. On a 1-2 pitch, Hamilton broke for second, and Guerrero pushed a grounder to second base. Because Hamilton was running, Robinson Cano couldn't attempt a double play, and Andrus scored on what wound up a fielder's choice.
That put the Rangers up 1-0. They could've gotten more, but Nelson Cruz flied out with Hamilton on second to end the inning.