Texas Rangers: Team Comes Up Short On Opening Night

The Texas Rangers came up short in their Opening Night game against the Cleveland Indians. For the first time since 2015, they’re 0-1. However, now that their first game is in the books, they need to focus on game two. One game down, 161 to go. It’s only one loss. No need to panic.

Overall, the team started out very good, however they were unable to finish the job. In the third inning, Texas led 5-1. They would wound up losing 8-5, thanks to Cleveland’s Edwin Encarnacion‘s single homer in the eighth, tying the game. The Texas Rangers officially collapsed in the top of the ninth, allowing Cleveland to score three runs.

Yu Darvish stepped on the mound. Darvish made his first career opening-day start, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing four hits, surrendering four runs, and striking out four batters. Not an explosive performance. On the contrary, he played in a way that is freaking out Ranger fans. He would go one earning a no-decision. Matt Bush relieved Darvish, pitching 1.2 innings allowing one hit, surrendering one run and striking out no batter. Sam Dyson then entered. He only pitched 0.2 of an inning, allowing four hits, surrendering three runs, and striking out no batters, thus earning a loss. Alex Claudio then entered the game, pitching 0.1 of an inning, allowing no hits, surrendering no runs, and striking out no batters. Overall, a very rough day for the pitching corps.

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Offense went 8-for-34 and struck out a total of 12 times. On a positive note, the offense blasted three homers. Both Carlos Gomez and Rougned Odor both blasted a combined three homes respectively. Additionally, Odor blasted a solo and three-run homer in this game. No doubt, a great start for both Gomez and Odor. Each Ranger was struck out in this game with the exception of Elvis Andrus, who went 2-for-4. Nomar Mazara, Shin-Soo Choo, Mike Napoli, Jonathan Lucroy, Joey Gallo, and Jurickson Profar all went a combined 3-for-21. Long story short, the offense didn’t do well. Especially with four players failing to register a hit.

In this game, Cleveland did what they were good at last season. Coming from behind to win a game. Last season, they had 38 come-from-behind victories, according to Gerry Fraley.

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Martin Perez is stepping on the mound in game two. This season, Perez is on a mission to rectify and mediocre 2016 season, which he finished 10-11. The Houston Astros won their opening game, so Texas cannot afford to go 0-2. Though the time to panic is certainly not now. Still 161 games to go.