Texas Rangers Head to 1st World Series

Fireworks and confetti filled the Texas sky, flags were raised, and players doused each other with ginger ale last night—and with good reason: The Texas Rangers will advance to their first World Series in the franchise's 39-year history. And to make their berth even more satisfying, the Rangers earned it by beating the defending champion New York Yankees in a 6-1 victory last night in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Texas, which had never won a postseason series or a home playoff game before this year, dispatched the $200 million-plus Bronx Bombers with little drama—especially after a four-run outburst in the fifth inning snapped a 1-all tie. Colby Lewis dominated over eight innings for his second win of the series, and Josh Hamilton earned the series MVP award. The celebration erupted when former Ranger Alex Rodriguez took a called third strike from hard-throwing rookie closer Neftali Feliz. The World Series begins Wednesday in either San Francisco or Philadelphia; the Giants have a 3-2 lead in the NLCS with Game 6 tonight in Philly.
(More Texas Rangers stories.)