LOS ANGELES: Rookie pitcher Matt Harrison put together the best start of his young career by tossing eight scoreless innings to lead the Texas Rangers to a 3-0 shutout of the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

In just his eighth start, the 23-year-old left-hander struck out eight, allowed three hits and no walks as he improved to 5-2. Closer Eddie Guardado pitched the ninth inning to secure the win.

The Rangers, typically led by their offense, rode the pitching performance to climb their way back to the .500 mark at 62-62.