15-14 - RANGERS PLAY THE UNO REVERSE CARD, TAKE FINALE OVER REDS 4-3

The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the Cincinnati Reds scored three runs.

All throughout this homestand, the Rangers have been facing early deficits with runs scored in the first few frames, often the very first one. With a scuffling lineup, that felt ruinous to their chances of winning and often Texas would find itself in the middle innings staring up at a zero in the hit column.

Today, however, the Rangers were the team that jumped out in front and then kept the opposing lineup at quiet for the first several frames. Using a two-run home run by Adolis Garcia, and the first big league home run of Wyatt Langford’s career — of course, an inside-the-parker — with a runner on, the Texas scored four first inning runs and just handed off to Dane Dunning to shove.

Today’s starter Dunning continued his early-season reinvention as a strikeout pitcher. Indeed, last season, he had a career low 7.3 K/9 rate. Coming into today’s game, he was at 9.5 and then he promptly K’d 10 in 5 ¹⁄₃ innings of work. He also didn’t allow a baserunner until an out into the fifth inning.

The only odd thing that transpired from Dunning’s dandy day was he left after those 5 ¹⁄₃ innings on just 69 extremely nice pitches. It seemed like an incredibly short leash for a team that has needed more innings from its starters.

But perhaps with an off day on Monday, manager Bruce Bochy figured he had his best arms in the bullpen ready to play with. Those arms ended up being Josh Sborz, who allowed a run on Dunning’s ledger and unearned run as Texas got sloppy defensively in the top of the sixth. Sborz got out of the trouble with the Rangers up 4-3 and the game stayed that way with scoreless innings from David Robertson, Jacob Latz, and Kirby Yates.

Despite making things messier than they needed to be, the Rangers grabbed the series with the win and get to avoid being under .500 again as they continue to alternate wins and losses.

Player of the Game: Dane Dunning: Strikeout pitcher.

Up Next: The Rangers have the day off tomorrow before welcoming yet another NL team to Arlington with the Washington Nationals coming to town for a three-game set that will both conclude the season’s first month and open May. RHP Jon Gray is next up for Texas opposite a pitcher to be named for Washington.

The Tuesday night first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT and will be telecast on BS Southwest.

2024-04-28T21:18:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd