in Garza when Tampa Bay traded him to Chicago after the 2010 season

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Matt Garza wants to make the Texas Rangers proud that they long coveted having him in their rotation. The big right-hander made quite an impression when he finally pitched in a Texas uniform. "Same thing Ive always saw when he pitched against us," manager Ron Washington said. "The guy can execute pitches. He never gets rattled." Garza pitched into the eighth inning of his Rangers debut, two days after getting traded from the Chicago Cubs. The only run he allowed was unearned after his throwing error in a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. "Im excited. I couldnt be more happy being in a place where Im at, a place where Im wanted, been wanted. Its awesome," Garza said. "I felt good. I just wanted to throw strikes." Garza (1-0) was 6-1 in his 11 starts this season for the Cubs. He was 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA his last six starts for Chicago, winning the last five. After giving up consecutive singles to start his first game in a Rangers jersey, Garza retired 15 of the next 16 batters before his throwing error on Brett Gardners comebacker leading off the sixth. He finished with five strikeouts and no walks, throwing 66 of 95 pitches for strikes. "Pounded the zone with vengeance," Washington said. "He was as advertised," said David Murphy, who homered for Texas. "Weve seen him do it before. It was impressive to see him attack the zone like that." A.J. Pierzynski drove in two runs for Texas, including a tiebreaking solo homer in the bottom of the sixth off Andy Pettitte (7-8). The Rangers were interested in Garza when Tampa Bay traded him to Chicago after the 2010 season. They also inquired about him last summer before he missed the last two months with a stress reaction in his right elbow. He missed the first seven weeks this season because of a strained left lat muscle. "Hes got good stuff. He has a very good fastball and slider. We hit some balls hard, but right at them," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He gave up hits to the first two batters and got out of the inning, and he kind of got on a roll after that." Gardners comebacker leading off the sixth rolled away from Garza even though the pitcher was able to get a glove on it. He scrambled to grab the ball, but threw awkwardly off his knee well wide of first base. The speedy Gardner was credited with an infield single and got to third on the errant throw. Garza then snagged Ichiro Suzukis comebacker for an out before Robinson Cano lined a single over second baseman Ian Kinslers head to tie the game at 1. Walking off the mound after the inning, Garza was clearly frustrated at himself. He already felt better soon after that, pumping his arms in the air and slapping his hands together when Pierzynski hit his 10th homer. "Its just I kept turning. I didnt stop myself from sliding, thats why I didnt let the ball go too well. ... Caught me off guard, its one of those things " Garza said. "But I made sure I got the next guy out and so close to not letting them score. Thats what I was a little (mad) about." Neal Cotts retired all four batters he faced before Joe Nathan got the final out for his 32nd save in 34 chances. The All-Star closer rebounded from the previous night when he gave up two runs in the ninth of a 5-4 loss to the Yankees. Pettitte allowed eight hits and two runs while pitching into the seventh. The 41-year-old left-hander struck out two and walked one. "Pierzynski killed him. He usually handles lefties well. He left a slider down but kind of in the middle of the plate, and he hit it out," Girardi said. "We just need to get (Pettitte) some runs." The Rangers quickly led 1-0 after Ian Kinsler had a leadoff single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Elvis Andrus and scored on a single by Pierzynski. It was the second time in three games this series they scored a run in the first inning, after 10 consecutive games without a run in the initial frame. NOTES: Even with the victory for the Rangers, it was the 27th day in a row they failed to gain ground in the AL West since Oakland won 4-3 at Houston earlier Wednesday. The Rangers have gone from a half-game lead to three games back in that span. ... Rangers opening day starter Matt Harrison threw live BP, facing hitters for the first time since April. The lefty has been on the DL and had two back surgeries since his last start April 6. Harrison says he felt good and is expected to throw BP again Saturday in Cleveland. ... Yankees OF Curtis Granderson (broken pinkie) said he will start a minor league rehab assignment Thursday night with Class A Tampa and will evaluated at the end of the weekend. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. Cheap Jerseys USA . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. http://www.cheapwholesalejerseyschina.com/ . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Jerseys NFL Wholesale . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Wholesale NFL Jerseys Authentic . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. DURHAM, N.H. -- Trevor Knight threw for three touchdowns, ran for another and New Hampshire beat Stony Brook 43-14 on Saturday to hand the Seahawks their first conference defeat.The Seawolves (5-3, 4-1) came in tied atop the Colonial Athletic Conference with James Madison with the Wildcats (6-3, 4-1) in a three-way tie for third. But New Hampshire took command in the third quarter with 21 points including Knights 1-yard run and scoring passes to Neil OConnor and Malik Love.Stony Brooks defense had not given up a touchdown in its 10 previous quarters but Kniight hit Dalton Crossan for a 9-yard score at 11:21 of the first quarter.dddddddddddd Prince Smith added his second pick-6 in two weeks with a 43-yard return for UNH, which came in with a nation-leading five defensive touchdowns. Crossans had a 14-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.Joe Carbone threw for two touchdowns but also four interceptions, two each by Smith and Quinlen Dean. Dean also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. ' ' '