The Texas Rangers scored five runs while the Washington Nationals scored zero runs.
Maybe all the Rangers needed was to play a team from the National League. Sure the American League is terrible this season but Texas obviously likes a challenge. Why put in your best effort against the likes of Anaheim and Not-Oakland when you can show up the Senior Circuit?
It’s probably just anecdotal but it feels like the Rangers have been cooled off a time or two by scheduled days off. However yesterday was a day off that was most welcome and allowed the club to reset after a well-documented unseemly trip out West.
Back home and with the trouble on the coast fully flushed, the Rangers scored a run in the first inning to grab the all important early lead. The run that scored following a couple of hits from Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager came after Cal Quantrill had worked around a leadoff CJ Abrams double in the top of the first.
An inning later, Texas didn’t need to manufacture a run as they turned to the long ball with a solo shot from Justin Foscue. One of many Rangers who have been slumping in August, Foscue collected his eighth dinger of the year as the night’s designated hitter against a left-handed starter for Washington.
Two early runs were nice but a run apiece in a couple of innings is hardly a crooked number. The Rangers fixed that in the bottom of the third when they put together a rally that produced three runs, including the first RBI base hit with the bases loaded in franchise history! (probably)
Cody Freeman’s infield single with the bags packed made it 5-0 Texas and from there, thanks to a great evening of pitching ignited by Quantrill, that score remained there until the final out as the Rangers returned home winners.
Player of the Game: Quantrill, who I likened to Dave Burba in a skeet to AJM earlier today, was out there looking more like Roger Clemens with seven shutout innings on four hits, zero walks, and five Ks.
With Nathan Eovaldi out and Jacob deGrom hurting, Quantrill has stepped up in a big way for a rotation that seemed on the verge of collapsing.
Up Next: The Rangers and Nationals will be back at it tomorrow with Texas not yet able or willing to list a starter while Washington will opt for RHP Cade Cavalli.
The Wednesday evening first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT and you can catch it via the Rangers Sports Network.