Tonight’s game started off with a bang, as Travis Bazzana launched the first leadoff homer of his career deep in the seats to give the Guards an early 1-0 lead. Then it was time for Parker Messick to go to work.
Messick would not allow a single baserunner through the first 3 innings, getting 3 strikeouts. Then in the top of 4th, the Guards would tack on an insurance run, as Steven Kwan lined a 2 out double in the right center
field gap that went all the way to the wall, and then scored on an RBI single to center field by Austin Hedges.
Messick would give up a 2 out single in the bottom half of the 4th inning, but was able to retire the next batter to maintain the 2-0 lead. The Guards would threaten to score again in the 5th with a leadoff triple by Bazzana, but could not get him home.
That would be it for action until the bottom of the 6th, when Texas would finally get on the board off the rookie, with a solo shot from Kyle Higashioka. Texas would go on to score 2 more in the inning, when Wyatt Langford doubled and scored on a 2 run homer hit by Corey Seager. This gave Texas a lead they would not relinquish.
The Guards would put the tying run on base with 2 outs in the 9th, after Stuart Fairchild walked with 1 out and Austin Hedges singled after the second out was made, but unfortunately they could not get that one last hit to break through and tie the game.
The Guards will look to even up the series tomorrow, with Tanner Bibee taking on Jack Leiter for Texas. First Pitch at 7:35 Eastern.
