What is the story about?
Rangers
3, Mariners 0
- There’s always something especially satisfying about sweeping the Mariners.
- So how about that MacKenzie Gore, huh?
- In five innings, Gore allowed just a single hit and two walks, with both walks coming in the first inning. He struck out nine. The one single he allowed, in the fifth, was erased on an inning-ending Connor “Cotton Eyed” Joe GIDP.
- For the season, Gore has a 2.76 ERA and 2.82 FIP in 16.1 IP over three starts. Yes, I would like it if he worked deeper into games. But this would seem to be what the Rangers were hoping for when they traded that bushel basket full of prospects to get Gore from the Nationals.
- Its early, of course. We shouldn’t leap to conclusions, shouldn’t make assumptions, still need to wait and see more since over 90% of the season still remains. The stuff has always been there with Gore — its been consistency and the ability to maintain a high level of performance.
- But things are off to a good start, as far as Gore is concerned.
- Interesting bullpen management from Skip Schumaker, who brought Chris Martin in for the sixth, used the newly promoted Luis Curvelo for two innings, then summoned Cole Winn for the ninth.
- The M’s got a leadoff single against Winn — just the second hit they picked up in the game, crushing our hopes once again of the Rangers getting a one hitter. That meant that the final two outs Winn had to pick up were Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez. No pressure there.
- The save Winn picked up was the first of his career, eight days after his first career win. He’s starting to rack up those counting stats!
- As for the offense…well, cut-and-paste what I wrote after the last game, about the importance of sequencing. The Rangers only picked up six hits, but three of them came in a row with one out in the fifth, with Danny Jansen, Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran all singling, loading up the bases. A bad throw on a Brandon Nimmo ball to first base brought two runs home, and after a Wyatt Langford walk, Corey Seager’s sac fly brought home the third run.
- Another underwhelming offensive performance. Texas scored 12 runs on this six game homestand.
- That’s a problem.
- But they are no doubt saying the same things in Seattle, after being held to three runs, 12 hits and six walks in three games in Texas.
- Texas is about to embark on a ten game West Coast road trip. I’d like to see the bats get going then.
- MacKenzie Gore topped out at 97.3 mph with his fastball, averaging 95.8 mph. Chris Martin’s fastball hit 95.7 mph. Luis Curvelo reached 96.8 mph with his fsatball. Cole Winn’s fastball touched 96.2 mph.
- Ezequiel Duran had a 108.7 mph GIDP. Brandon Nimmo had a 104.5 mph double. Josh Smith had a 101.5 mph single and a 101.3 mph fly out.
- Texas now can enjoy their off day with a 1.5 game lead in the West.
