2010年12月英语六级听力练习十八

This year marks the first time in their 50-year franchise history the Texas Rangers have made it to the so-called Fall Classic. Since their inception as a replacement for the Washington Senators in 1961 - before moving to Texas 10 years later - the Rangers had never even won a playoff series until this year. Now after winning 2 playoff rounds this month __________________________ to be appearing in their first World Series.

For the Giants, it has been 56 years since they won their last World Series title in 1954, and that was when the franchise was based in New York, until moving across the country to San Francisco in 1958. That is the 3rd longest wait in the sports history, behind the Cleveland Indians' 62 years and the Chicago Cubs, who have not won Major League Baseball's annual championship since 1908. ________. Texas defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in their best-of-5 game divisional series, while San Francisco needed 4 games to get past the Atlanta Braves.

In the best-of-7 League Championship Series, both teams needed 6 games to advance. The Rangers beat the defending World Series champion New York Yankees, while the Giants took the National League crown away from the reigning champion Philadelphia Phillies. Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand says their pitching made the difference. "Our pitching staff, in the bullpen, our starters, ______________. For them to do that and keep this team down and give us the opportunity to win some games is unbelievable."