Texas Rangers: Team Wins Game Two Against Nationals

The Texas Rangers take game two of their series against the Nationals in our nation’s capital. This victory means that Texas wins their first series in nearly a month. They’re also on a two-game winning streak for the first time in almost a month. Texas remains in fourth place in the American League West standings at 13.5 games behind the first-place Astros. At the moment, the only on Texas’ mind is win games to climb back into play-off contention.

Started out as a very slow game. The Texas Rangers drew first blood, taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, holding on to it until the 6th, when Washington jumped to a 3-1 lead. In the ninth inning, still trailing 3-1, Texas tied the game thanks a solo homer by Shin-Soo Choo and a game-tying double by Nomar Mazara. The game went into extra innings, lasting to the eleventh when Robinson Chirinos blasted a three-run homer, giving Texas a 6-3 lead. Texas held on to their lead and won. A spectacular effort by the Rangers.

Martin Perez took the mound. He pitched 5.0 innings, allowing seven hits, two runs, and striking out five batters, earning a no-decision. A respectable game by Perez.

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Tony Barnette relieved Perez, pitching 1.0, allowing two hits, one run, and striking out one batter. Unfortunately, he suffered his fourth blown save this season.

Jeremy Jeffress then came in. He pitched 1.0 innings, allowing no hits, no runs, and striking out one batter. Jose Leclerc relieved Jeffress, pitching 1.0 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out two batters.

Alex Claudio entered the game into the ninth hoping to keep the game going. He allowed no hits, no runs, and struck out one batter to deny a walk-off for Washington. Claudio is having a good season. He has four holds, one save, one blown save, as well as one victory. In any case, he must keep it up, as well as Jeffress and Leclerc. Barnette needs to pick it up a little bit.

For the next two innings, Keone Kela pitched. Allowing no hits, no runs, and striking out four batters, Kela earned his third win this season.

Overall, the pitching was fantastic. They struck out a total of 14 batters, forcing Washington to leave seven on base. In any case, pitching must stay consistent.

Offense finished 9-for-40, striking out 17 times. Not very productive, but enough to win this one. Elvis Andrus and Delino Deshields are the only ones with multiple hits. Choo, Chirinos, and Mazara all kept Texas in the game. Let’s give credit to Andrus, Joey Gallo and Pete Kozma, too. Adrian Beltre returned to the lineup after missing two games with a jammed ankle. It was thought he would be on the disabled list again for a while, but he’s back. He went 1-for-3. In any case, Beltre must stay healthy, and the offense must improve.