The Texas Rangers scored five runs while the Pittsburgh Pirates scored one run.
Talk about branching paths.
With the Rangers holding a scant 2-1 lead with two outs in the top of the fifth and with two Buccos on the bags for Pittsburgh, Texas hurler Kumar Rocker was nearing that point in the game where he often runs out of bullets. It was at this moment that the fate of tonight’s game was basically decided in an instant.
You’ve heard AJM speak on the most momentum shifting play in baseball, the two-out,
three-run home run. Well, Pittsburgh all but enjoyed such an occasion when Oneil Cruz sent one deep to left-center for what looked like his 7th dong of the year, a surely crippling shot.
However, Rangers center fielder Evan Carter sprouted wings and robbed Cruz of providing Pittsburgh with a 4-2 lead as the game was exiting the middle innings.
Who knows what could or would have happened if Carter hadn’t stolen from the Pirates in broad rooflight, right in front of their stunned bullpen.
Would Rocker have been lifted having disappointedly coughed up the lead even though he appeared on his way to a stellar start?
Would an already overworked bullpen be forced to continue eating more innings as this homestand begins?
Would the softer underbelly of the ‘pen be called in, potentially allowing Pittsburgh to blow the game open further?
Would the bats have stayed quiet with all the air squeezed out of the balloon on one swing of Cruz’s bat?
We’ll never have to understand the mysteries of that other universe as Carter showed us the newest most momentum shifting play in baseball.
Buoyed by Carter, the Texas lineup put together a three-run bottom of the inning to turn what could have been a 4-2 deficit into a 5-1 lead that would eventually become the final score. With the win, the Rangers begin their homestand and this series with a victory as they climb back over the .500 hurdle.
Player of the Game: While Carter certainly had the play of the game with his home run thievery, Rocker did collect 17 other outs during his six innings of one run work which deserves a hat tip.
The former Vandy first-rounder was aided by Carter, sure, but he also ultimately allowed just the one run on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts in his first Quality Start of the year and first big league start in which he made it beyond five innings since 6.1 innings against the Detroit Tigers in mid-July of last season.
Up Next: More Pirates and Rangers with RHP fellow Vandy Boy Jack Leiter next up for Texas opposite RHP Braxton Ashcraft for Pittsburgh.
The Wednesday evening first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.
