The Texas Rangers scored three runs but the Tampa Bay Rays scored six runs in ten innings.
In more evidence to theory that we’re merely in purgatory watching the same Rangers game over and over, tonight’s contest was starting to travel a similar trajectory as last night’s loss and many that came before it.
The Rangers trailed after the customary Jacob deGrom first inning home run and didn’t seem especially competitive at the plate. After a second Rays solo home run, the Rangers got a home run of their
own to move to within a run. Like last night, they couldn’t tie the game before the Rays got a late insurance run, but then scored the run that would have tied it had the leverage arms of the bullpen kept Tampa Bay off the board for their third run.
Unlike last night, however, the Rangers found a way to score the tying third run before they’d even gotten an at-bat with runners in scoring position all evening.
Following a solo home run from Evan Carter that brought Texas to within a run to lead off the eighth, Danny Jansen singled with one out and after Cam Cauley was brought in to pinch run for Jansen, Justin Foscue laced a double that allowed the speedy Cauley to come around all the way from first and score the tying run.
With Foscue the first Ranger in scoring position, Texas had the guys you’d think you’d want up with Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford due. However, neither could get the hit to give the Rangers the lead, both grounding out harmlessly. That was as emblematic as it would eventually be problematic.
Another difference between tonight’s game and last night’s loss was a Jacob Latz showing. The All-Star closer pitched in a tied game in the ninth and got three outs on nine pitches which allowed him to also pitch the tenth inning after the Rangers failed to produce a walk-off winner in the bottom of the ninth.
Latz stayed in the game but after the Rays sac bunted their Manfred man over to third base, the Rangers elected to intentionally walk Yandy Diaz to set up a potential double play. Instead of doing that, Jonathan Aranda hit a two-strike low quadrant slider 409 ft for a three-run home run.
The Rangers did not hit a three-run home run in their half of the extra frame — they did not even score their free runner, finishing the night 0-5 with RISP — and they are now three games below .500.
Player of the Game: After a solo home run in the eighth, Evan Carter is now one away from double digits on the year.
Up Next: The Rangers and Rays close out this series with LHP MacKenzie Gore expected to take the mound for Texas opposite a pitcher yet to be named for Tampa Bay.
The Sunday afternoon first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 1:35 pm CDT and you can view it on the Rangers Sports Network.
