Top 5 favorite Texas Rangers moments in 2013

This time, I’ll cover my top 5 favorite Texas Rangers moments in 2013.  Hopefully, you enjoyed my top 5 worst Texas Rangers moments I recently wrote.  I feel these moments had an impact on the team and the season overall.

5.  Unlucky number 13 – Max Scherzer suffers first loss against the Texas Rangers

July 13, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman

(18) runs the bases after he hitting a two-run home run off Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The number 13 was Max Scherzer’s friend on July 13, 2013.  It was lucky for the Texas Ranger.  They managed to hand Scherzer his first loss of the season, Max would go on to finish the season with a record of 21-3 with an ERA of 2.90.  Not only did the Texas Rangers win against Scherzer, they did it soundly off of 8 hits and 4 runs over 6 innings.   Nelson Cruz went 4 for 5 with 2 runs, a double and RBI and Adrian Beltre went 3-5 with a 2-run homer.

4.  4-pack walk-off –  Texas Rangers win 4 walk-off games at home in a row against the Angels

Sep 26, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman

(right) gets a gatorade bath by center fielder

(2) after hitting a walk off home run during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Some would argue that the Houston Astros are the Texas Rangers rival, but if you ask me, it is the Los Angeles Angels.  Not many things are more exciting than a walk-off win, add that against a rival makes it just that much more sweeter.  If one is sweet, then 3 in a row on July 29-31 is the sweetest.  Those three games featured homers by Geovany Soto, Leonys Martin and Adrian Beltre.  And the Texas Rangers were not done there, they tacked on one more in September, this time with a home run by Jurickson Profar.

3.  It’s like riding a bike – Alex Rios hits for the cycle

Sep 23, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Alex Rios (51) slides to third base completing the cycle against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Rios is the seventh in Rangers history to hit for the cycle. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Rios hit for the cycle on 9/23/2013, a rare feat and always a sight to see.   Rios managed to do the feat on his first 4 at-bats doing it with an RBI triple in the sixth to finish it off.

"“It worked out because he hit it to the perfect part of the field,” said Ron Washington said. “We knew what was going on. When he hit it, we were yelling on the bench, ‘Triple, triple, triple.’ He can run for a big guy.”  (Master Tesfatsion MLB.com)"

It might have helped Rios that he was playing against the Houston Astros, or the fact he was hot all month, either way, at least he was able to celebrate in the month of September.

2.  Pitch Perfect Bittersweet – Yu Darvish always close

Sep 9, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) throws a pitch in the third inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Pirates beat the Rangers 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Yu Darvish flirted several times with perfect games, no-hitter and shutouts.  Darvish gave the Texas Rangers ever opportunity to win the West and advance to the playoffs.  Darvish did fall victim to four 1-0 losses, those games were still fun to watch, as well as frustrating.   It’s hard to ask more of a pitcher than what Washington did for Darvish.  Hopefully we’ll see more of this from Darvish, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if Washington kept his pitch count down some in 2014.

1.  We peaked too early – Most wins for the month of August

August 6, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Leonys Martin (2) is congratulated by second baseman

(5) after scoring a run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

At the moment, it seemed the Texas Rangers were on their way to winning the West and making another World Series run.  As the calendar turned to September, things were just as bad as they were good in August.

With 2 games left, the Texas Rangers had a chance to equal the club best month ever, but finished 20-7 for the month.  It was the best finish for the club in the month of August and was the 4th time in club history they managed to win 20 games in a month.   August was some fun baseball.  Riding on their stellar August, the Rangers were able to stumble to throughout September and make it to game 163.  If they didn’t play well then, 2013 may have been a total disappointment.  Instead, the Texas Rangers played extra baseball in game 163.  I know they lost against the David Price and Rays, but they were still in it.

I’m looking forward to many more memories in 2014.  Whether they play well next year or not, it’s the sport and team I love the most.   I’m sure there will be several most moments next years that are heart-breaking, but that’s what makes them so fun to watch.  When they hit a grand-slam home run, or win in walk-off fashion, it makes it all worth while.  Can’ t wait for opening day to start a new chapter of Texas Rangers baseball.