Baseball: Texas Rangers hit fever pitch

The Texas Rangers, who had never won a play-off series in 50 years as a baseball franchise, have booked a World Series debut by vanquishing the New York Yankees.

"They out-hit us, they out-pitched us, out-played us," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after the Rangers' 6-1 win completed a 4-2 victory in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series.

The Yankees won their 27th World Series crown last season and led Major League Baseball in runs scored this year but they were outscored 38-19 in a decisive series triumph by Texas.

"Got to give them credit. They beat us straight up," said Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher. "It's just a nasty feeling right now. But that's baseball."

New York's demise could have come quicker as they trailed 5-0 in the opening game before rallying to victory with a five-run outburst in the eighth inning at Texas. "You take away one inning and one game, and it was very one-sided," acknowledged Girardi. "We just didn't get it done."

Other than Texas ace Cliff Lee, the Rangers' starting pitching took second billing to their potent offense heading into the series, but they clearly outperformed their New York counterparts.

"You have to give some credit to their pitchers," Girardi said about the Yankees' slumping bats.

"They obviously made some good pitches when they had to. We had some opportunities in the series but we didn't hit with runners on. We never seemed to get on track offensively."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the first order of business in the off-season would likely be the re-signing of Girardi, whose contract expires at the end of the month, before an analysis of how best to improve the team. "The winter is upon us now," Cashman said about the business of putting together the 2011 edition of the Yankees.

The Rangers will play the winners of the National League Championship Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants, who lead it 3-2.

Rookie closer Neftali Feliz struck out former Ranger Alex Rodriguez for the final out, igniting wild celebrations on the diamond and among the crowd of more than 51,000 at Rangers Ballpark.

Starting pitcher Colby Lewis won his second game of the series by throwing eight sterling innings and giving up three hits, and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero drove in the first three runs to lead the Rangers to victory.

The Rangers rejoiced in the middle of the diamond after winning the American League pennant for a first time and eliminating last year's World Series winners, hugging each other and falling into a massive pile-up near the mound.

After more hugs, they sprayed ginger ale in glee and poured the soda over each other's heads in deference to slugger Josh Hamilton, who has overcome drug and alcohol abuse.

Hamilton was named Most Valuable Player of the series.

"This group is here because they don't know how to fail," said Hamilton, choked with emotion.

"The chemistry of this team is like something I've never known anywhere."

Rangers manager Ron Washington was bursting with pride in his players.

"They show up every single day and they leave their hearts on the field," he said. "Tonight you've seen exactly what they've worked hard for since February."