The 5 Moments that put the Texas Rangers into the 2023 World Series

#2 8th inning double play in Baltimore

Texas had to follow up the series in Tampa and head directly to Baltimore in what would end up being a two week long road trip. Game one was a close affair. Very low scoring and it was there for the taking for the Orioles. The score was 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth with Aroldis Chapman on the mound. A bullpen that blew 33 saves in the regular season was trying to lock down a one-run game on the road.

Chapman immediately started off by throwing eight of his first nine pitches for balls and walking the first two batters of the inning. That brought up Anthony Santander, who had hit a home run earlier in the game. He was in a position to tie the game or give the Orioles the lead. Chapman threw a 98mph fastball in the middle of the zone for strike one. Then on the second pitch he followed up with a pitch near the bottom of the zone. Santander swung and made contact with the pitch and hit a ground ball right to Josh Jung.

He immediately threw it to Marcus Semien at second who then made the turn to first base to finish off the double play. Chapman then followed up with a strikeout of Ryan Mountcastle to end the inning and the threat from the Orioles.