ARLINGTON, Texas — For a team overstuffed with big bats, the Rangers showed Wednesday that they have the tools to win a 1-0 game, too.
The Rangers didn't score until the eighth inning, but they didn't get many opportunities against Arizona starter Wade Miley. He held the Rangers to just two hits over the first seven innings.
"Tonight it only took one run," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Tonight it only took one hit, in the right situation. Yes, they outhit us, but we outscored them and that's the name of the game."
That one hit was provided by No. 9 hitter Craig Gentry with a sharp grounder that got through to score Mike Napoli from second. Napoli had drawn a leadoff walk and was moved over with a sacrifice bunt by Yorvit Torrealba.
"Mike Napoli did a great job of working him there," Washington said. "Torre did a great job of getting the bunt down. And then Gentry came through and hit a bullet to third base he couldn't handle, and there it is. The rest was [closer] Joe Nathan."
Gentry's hit glanced off the glove of third baseman Ryan Roberts, but it was enough to provide the offense the Rangers needed.
"He had been throwing me fastballs all night and that's what I was looking for, something out over the plate, something I could handle," Gentry said. Luckily he was able to leave it out there for me. Whatever I can do to help the team win."
On a night when the big names struggled at the plate, Gentry came through again. He's now 10 for his last 20 at-bats and has driven in three runs in the last two games.
"Just getting out there and getting consistent at-bats, you just feel more comfortable," Gentry said. "Right now I feel good and confident and things are going well for me."
The Rangers scored nine runs the previous night in a win over the Diamondbacks, but found themselves in a completely different kind of game Wednesday.
The 7 ½ inning drought was the longest any Rangers game has remained scoreless all year. The Rangers' 28 plate appearances were the fewest in a Rangers win since a 3-2 win over Seattle on Sept. 10, 2002.
With their powerful lineup and a home ballpark known for offense, the Rangers have a reputation for bashing opponents. However, they didn't get frustrated when the scoreboard was full of zeroes Wednesday.
"You've just got to keep going, keep going and keep going," Washington said. "It opened up for us tonight. One run in Texas."
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
