Texas Rangers: Team Fights Back But Ultimately Falls Short

The Texas Rangers come up short in game three of their series against Toronto. Despite pulling a valiant effort to coming back into the game, they couldn’t get it done at the end. As a result, Texas under .500 again, as well as drop to fourth place in the American League West standings. Furthermore, they’re 13 games behind the first-place Astros.

A roller coaster kind of night for the Texas Rangers. Toronto immediately jumped up to a 6-0 lead in the first. Scoring five runs with two outs really adds insult to injury for Texas. In the third, Toronto made it 7-0. However, in the bottom of the third, Texas made it 7-2. In the fifth, Texas made it 7-3, then in the sixth, 7-5. After that, Texas was able to prevent Toronto from scoring again, but the bats couldn’t do anything about it.

Tyson Ross took the mound, hoping to go 2-0 for the first time in his career. He pitched 3.0 innings, allowing seven hits, seven runs, and striking out two batters, falling to 1-1. His first-career 2-0 start ended up just being a dream. After his disastrous first inning, he did quickly retire three straight batters in the second, but after allowing his seventh run in the third, his night was over.

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Ernesto Frieri relieved Ross, pitching 3.0 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out two batters. Frieri did a good job at preventing Toronto from rubbing salt into Texas’ wound. In any case, he must keep it up.

Dario Alvarez then came in. He pitched 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out two batters.

Tanner Scheppers came in briefly. He pitched 0.1 innings, allowing no hits, no runs, and struck out no batters. His presence on the mound was just for a second, however, he prevented Toronto from scoring when they had a man on third with two outs. Scheppers’ appearance had a true meaning.

Keone Kela pitched the ninth inning, allowing no hits, no runs, and struck out two batters. Kela’s been phenomenal this season. He too, in any case, must keep it up.

Offense finished 9-for-36, striking out eight times. Adrian Beltre, Jonathan Lucroy, and Rougned Odor all went hit-less. Beltre’s five-game hitting streak is, hereby, snapped. Shin-Soo Choo went 2-for-3, blasting a two-run homer that put Texas on the board. He’s now on a six-game hitting streak, as well as a two-game streak with multiple hits. Elvis Andrus is now a three-game hitting streak, as well as Nomar Mazara and Delino DeShields. Mike Napoli is on a two-game hitting streak. Joey Gallo snapped a three-game hit-less streak, going 3-for-4, including a inside-the-park home run. Gallo has his 19th homer this season. Gallo has to be considered the player of the game, though Texas did not win.

Martin Perez steps on the mound for the final game. He takes on Marcus Stroman. Last time Stroman pitched against Texas was in the playoffs last season in game one of the ALDS series. Texas lost 10-1 and went on to be swept. The Rangers need to win this game.