Wow, the Texas Rangers really needed that win last night, over the New York Mets. Over the last week and a half, it seems like everything that could have gone wrong for the club, did. But last night, the tide turned, and the Rangers were able to get a crucial win in dramatic fashion.
Heading into last night's game, Texas had not won a game all season when trailing after the 8th inning. But last night, the guys dug deep and were able to erase the one run deficit in the top of the ninth, and took the lead on Nathaniel Lowes two-out, bases loaded single. The two runs that Lowe drove in made the score 4 to 3, and that is how the game would end as Jose Leclerc picked up his second save of the season. His first came all the way back on April 5th, against the Baltimore Orioles.
Lowe's game-winning hit was a huge moment for the Rangers as a team, but also for him individually. After the Mets walked Corey Seager to load the bases, the pressure to deliver was squarely on the first baseman's shoulders. Lowe isn't scared of hard work and he isn't scared to be in pressure situations. He wasn't trying to hit a grandslam, but was instead looking for a good pitch to hit, and hit it hard. That is exactly what he did, and the Rangers ended up with the victory because of that approach and execution.
Texas Rangers top prospect, Evan Carter, promoted to Triple-A Round Rock
The Rangers made the move on Monday to promote the organizations top prospect, Evan Carter, to Triple-A. Recently many people, including our very own Michael Sanders, have been discussing the idea of promoting Carter to the major league level to help fill the hole in left field. While that is still possible, it appears that for the moment the club will be content to getting the young outfielder some reps in Round Rock over the last month of the season.
This move is similar to how they handled Carter last season, as he played the majority of the year with High-A Hickory, before being moved to Double-A Frisco at the end of the season. This will be a great opportunity for Carter to continue up the ladder and prove that he can be an on base machine at every level of the game. It will be fun to watch how he handles the new challenge, but there is little doubt that he will be just fine. Come spring, there is a good chance that he will be competing for not only a spot on the opening day roster, but perhaps a starting role.
A fun fact is that today is Carter's birthday, so he will spend his 21st birthday in Oklahoma City as a new member of the Round Rock Express. Carter's story and game is a great one, and he is the type of player that can have a positive impact on the Texas Rangers organization for many years to come.
Texas Rangers schedule for remaining two-games versus the New York Mets
Date and Time | Probable Pitcher Rangers | Probable Pitcher Mets |
---|---|---|
Tues 29th - 6:10 CT | Andrew Heaney LHP 9-6, 4.34 ERA, 127 SO | Jose Quintana LHP 1-5, 3.73 ERA, 30 SO |
Wed 30th - 5:40 CT | Dane Dunning RHP 9-6, 3.36 ERA, 107 SO | TBD |
The Rangers have two more games against the Mets this week, before they come home to Arlington for an important nine game homestand against the Twins, Astros, and Athletics. Tonight, the Rangers will give the ball to Andrew Heaney and will finish the series tomorrow with Dane Dunning on the bump.
Heaney hasn't been going very deep in games as of late, and it will be interesting to see if that is the case again tonight. Glenn Otto was called up to the club yesterday and could be paired with the lefty to form a solid duo this evening.
On Wednesday, Dunning will look to rebound from a rough start last time out against the Twins. In that outing, he walked six, gave up five hits, allowed four runs (all in the first inning), over four innings of work. It had the feel that Dunning was trying to match Sonny Gray that night and was trying to do too much. Hopefully he will settle back into his own game tomorrow night and keep the winning going to the Rangers.