Garza is simply too tough for Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Matt Garza slammed the rosin bag to the ground and kicked the dirt on the mound.

The Tampa Bay right-hander was angry at himself -- not the scorekeeper -- after his bid for the first no-hitter in Rays history ended on a debatable call after his two-strike pitch with two out in the sixth inning of a 7-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.

“I was upset I hung that slider,” Garza said. “It’s a hit.”

Ian Kinsler hit a looping fly ball into short center that ricocheted off the glove of charging outfielder Justin Ruggiano. The play was almost immediately ruled a hit.

But any questions about that costing Garza (10-7) a no-hitter were erased when Josh Hamilton led off the seventh with a solid single up the middle.

Still, it was a dominating performance by the 24-year-old Garza, who threw a two-hitter for his second career shutout -- both in the last four games. It was also his third complete game.

Garza struck out nine and walked two while throwing 78 of 119 pitches for strikes. None of the Rangers’ four baserunners got past first.