The Texas Rangers didn’t score but the Tampa Bay Rays scored three runs.
MacKenzie Gore allowed three hits to the first four batters he faced in tonight’s contest. Two of those hits were home runs including one on the first pitch from Gore and another, a two-run shot, that nearly tore the roof off the Trop.
We’re used to Gore having one of these disastrous innings in each of his appearances. It’s interesting to ponder how this start’s disaster impacted the entire course of the game. Down 3-0 immediately, the Rangers never really showed a spark for a comeback bid.
Maybe they thought the Rays were going to blow the game open on Gore eventually. Maybe it’s just difficult to beat the AL’s best club at their park when your starter gives up a crooked number no matter when it comes.
Who knows, maybe if the game had settled in, perhaps Texas could have struck first before the Gore Inning (TM). Or maybe not. Maybe they were just destined to never get on the board tonight against a thrifty Rays staff and it simply was always going to play out like this.
Here’s the punchline, though: After that two-run home run, Gore threw the next 6 2/3 innings without allowing another hit while retiring 20 of the last 21 he faced. Gore walked no one and struck out nine in a quality start, and one that saved the bullpen from a lot of extra work.
Maybe Gore should have done more to give the lineup something to believe in early, but ultimately the lineup failed to ever make this a game and the Rangers missed a shot at their best mark above .500 this season.
Player of the Game: Ironically, MacKenzie Gore.
Up Next: The Rangers and Rays close out this series in the ante meridiem with the Rangers not yet naming a starter but perhaps RHP Nathan Eovaldi while Tampa Bay will turn to LHP Shane McClanahan.
The Thursday finale first pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 11:10 am CDT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.
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