ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Cliff Lee pitched another postseason gem and the Texas Rangers won a playoff series for the first time, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 Tuesday night in a decisive Game 5 on the legs of some daring baserunning.
Lee struck out 11 in a six-hitter for his second win over Rays ace David Price in a series in which the road team won every game — a first in major league history.
The Rangers will host the wild-card New York Yankees in the AL championship series opener Friday night.
Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning for Texas, which had been the only active major league franchise that hadn’t won a playoff series.
Lee improved to 6-0 in seven career postseason starts.