The Texas Rangers scored eight runs while the Tampa Bay Rays scored six runs.
We had ourselves a certified Gore Inning (TM) today and it was a particularly bloody one as Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore was disemboweled for four runs in the top of the second inning.
The Rays loaded up on singles and let the Rangers make some questionable defensive decisions to collect their early lead. Up big early, it seemed like the Rangers were destined to another loss against Tampa Bay which would have sealed a series defeat to the AL’s top club. However, Jake Burger had other ideas.
The Rangers first baseman hit a solo home run to get the Rangers on the board and following another Rays run in the top of the third, Burger smacked his second homer, a two-run shot this time, to pull Texas to within a couple of runs.
MacKenzie was run out of the game after just three innings, which put a lot of pressure on the bullpen to work through some innings. They were mostly up to the task with latest arm Trevor Williams tossing two scoreless, Chase Silseth pitching in for a scoreless inning, and Tyler Alexander working out of a jam having allowed a run.
By the time Alexander allowed Tampa Bay’s sixth run, the Rangers had fully rallied and overtaken the Rays. In the same inning following Burger’s second dong, the Rangers got a few on base and Justin Foscue fought off a two-strike pitch to sneak a ball on the fair side of the line for a two-out, two-run double that tied the game.
The next inning Burger started a rally with a walk and after a Logan O’Hoppe single, the Rangers took the lead for good via an Elias Diaz single that scored Burger. The Rangers weren’t done there, though, as following the inning’s second out, Ezequiel Duran singled to drive in a run and give Texas a bit of a cushion.
After Alexander allowed Tampa Bay’s sixth run in the top of the seventh, the Rangers turned to Jacob Latz in the eighth inning with the top of the Rays’ lineup due in a one run game. The Rangers had been burned in some games recently waiting for their chance to use Latz in a traditional closer situation. Today they switched things up and used Latz in a set up role when things looked most dangerous.
After pitching two innings yesterday, Latz worked around a single and got through the eighth scoreless on 18 pitches. The Rangers opted to go with Jakob Junis for the save after Corey Seager reinvested in some insurance with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth. With a two run lead in the ninth, Junis nailed down the victory and the Rangers finished off the series with a split despite the big early deficit today.
All in all, a series win would have been preferable but the Rangers were competitive against the league leaders all weekend and remain in the hunt for one of the playoff spots in the American League with three weeks left in the season.
Player of the Game: Burger was responsible for Texas’ first three runs via a couple of home runs which helped the Rangers claw their way out of an early hole. Burger also scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth.
Up Next: The Rangers have Mondays off every week this month, including tomorrow. They will venture up to Seattle to take on the scuffling Mariners beginning on Tuesday night.
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