With runners on the corners in the 3rd inning, Shields went to 1st base for a pickoff attempt, but the throw over was errant, allowing the runner to score from 3rd base. Ian Kinsler launched a solo homer to left in the 4th, putting Texas up 2–0. In the 5th, Shields was removed from the game with two on and one out, being replaced by Chad Qualls to face Michael Young. With a 2–2 count, Young checked his swing on a pitch that was called a ball. The Rays appealed to first base umpire Jerry Meals, but Meals ruled that Young held up in time, drawing the ire of the Rays dugout. Replays showed that Young may not have checked in time, and had the ruling been made that he did not, it would have resulted in a strikeout. Instead, Young went deep to center on the very next pitch for a 3-run home run, putting the Rangers up 5–0. Rays manager Joe Maddon went out to the mound to talk to his pitcher after the home run, but began arguing with home plate umpire Jim Wolf about the check swing, which led to Wolf ejecting Maddon from the game. Texas added another run in the 6th inning, and held the Rays scoreless, winning 6–0 and taking a commanding 2–0 lead in the best-of-five series. The series shifted to Texas at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for Game 3. It was a low-scoring affair for most of the game. Texas struck first when Mitch Moreland scored on a groundout in the 3rd inning. The Rays stranded two baserunners in both the 4th and 5th innings, but tied the game in the 6th inning after an RBI double by B. J. Upton. Ian Kinsler put the Rangers back ahead 2–1 with a solo shot to left field in the 7th. An RBI single by Carlos Peña in the 8th scored a run from 2nd base to even the score again, and after a walk, John Jaso singled to center, bringing Peña home and giving the Rays a 3–2 lead. Carl Crawford and Peña both had home runs in the 9th inning to give the Rays a more comfortable 6–2 lead. Despite giving up a solo homer to Nelson Cruz, Rays closer Rafael Soriano was effective in the bottom of the 9th, and the Rays staved off elimination with a 6–3 victory.