Texas Rangers: Bats Go Silent As Team Falls To Cleveland

The Texas Rangers fall 5-1 in their series finale against Cleveland. This results in Texas falling 14.5 games behind the first-place Astros in the American League West standings. Furthermore, Texas is once again under .500 with a mediocre 39-40 record. At the moment, the momentum Texas came into Cleveland with has gone cold. If they’re to again attempt to save their season, they need to get it back.

Once again, it just wasn’t the Texas Rangers’ day. Texas managed to quickly take a 1-0 lead in the first, but their lead didn’t last long as Cleveland made 2-1 in the third, eventually making it 5-1 in the sixth. Texas did not find a way to strike back.

Andrew Cashner took the mound, making his return from the disabled list. He pitched 5.0 innings, allowing six hits, five runs, and striking out three batters, falling to 3-7. Started out playing valiantly, however, he couldn’t quite hold the Cleveland bats.

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Nick Martinez took over for Cashner in the sixth. He pitched 2.0 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out one batter. Martinez continues to impress. With Hamels returning, Martinez is back to his bullpen duties. Regardless, he’s doing good, and if another starter gets hurt, he’s likely to return to the starting rotation. In any case, he needs to remain focused.

Tanner Scheppers pitched the eighth inning, allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out one batter. Scheppers has only pitched in five games this season, but he’s doing all right. It’s been a rough few years for him. He’s been plagued with injuries going back to 2014. He had suffered another injury early this season, resulting in Texas removing him from the 40-man roster once he was healed. It became clear Texas was ready to move on from him. They tried to trade him, but no team had any interest in acquiring Scheppers. Amazingly, he accepted a rehab assignment and just ten days ago, Texas purchased his contract, resulting in a promotion back to the main roster. In any case, Scheppers must keep up the good work.

Offense finished 4-for-30, striking out 12 times. The streak of eight or more strikeouts in a game is now at eleven games. Five players went hit-less. Gomez’ hit-less streak is now at four games, Mike Napoli at two, Joey Gallo at three. Robinson Chirinos’ hitting streak of four games comes to an end, as well. Nomar Mazara’s hit-less streak of two games has been snapped as he blasted a solo homer in this game, scoring Texas’ only run. Adrian Beltre went 1-for-4 and he’s 30 hits away from reaching 3,000 career-hits. Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus are both on two-game hitting streaks.

Texas’ offense is currently second in the league in stolen bases with 69, however they’ve been caught 25 times, which is the most in the league at the moment. Their batting average of .238 places them 28th in the league. Furthermore, they’re fourth in the league in striking out, striking out a total of 739 times. On a positive note, Texas is seventh in scoring runs, scoring 630 so far. Not only that, but they’re also sixth in home runs with 117. In any case, the strikeouts needs to decrease

The Rangers are now off to Chicago for a three-game series against the White Sox. Chicago is 33-44, so Texas can’t afford to lose this series. This series will have a special game for the Rangers. On Saturday, Cole Hamels is going to be on the mound. He’ll be squaring off against former Ranger Derek Holland. In any case, Texas must win that one.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx steps on the mound tomorrow. He’s looking to go 3-0 as Texas is looking to start a new winning streak, hoping that this one lasts a while.

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