By: Blake Cole Published August 10, 2015
The Texas Rangers have finished up a three game series in Seattle. They ended the series on the losing end, 2-1. Let’s take a look at the highlights from this away series:
Game 1 was a recorded loss for newly acquired Texas pitcher Cole Hamels. He allowed eight hits with four runs, through six innings of ball. The Rangers saw offensive production from Bobby Wilson, also newly acquired, with a two-run double in the second. Texas’ rocky catching position has put in work as of late. Between Bobby Wilson and Chris Giminez, Rangers catchers have produced seven RBIs in the last four outings. The third inning featured an anomaly from veteran pitcher Hamels, as he was called for a balk while there were runners at the corners. This was Seattle’s first score of the game. Mitch Moreland was able to score after a wild pitch escaped the Seattle catcher. Fumbling and bumbling by Texas prevented any further ability to get runs. In the eighth, down by one, Odor managed to get a single off a bunt. However, he was picked off by Seattle pitcher Joe Beimel, with Prince Fielder up at bat. Hamels allowed Cano, Cruz, and Trumbo to go yard, sealing the Seattle victory, at 4-3.
Game 2 offered the fans a kind of game they wish they could see everyday. It went to extra innings and payed off for Texas supporters. Both the Rangers and the Mariners scored three in the fourth. Fielder snapped his 0-and-10 hitless streak, knocking in an RBI double. All the action was in the extras, with an eight run 11th from Texas, that also had a slammer from Prince. It wasn’t all fun and runs, as the Rangers had three baserunners thrown out. Giminez, Odor, and DeShields were all caught on the pickoff. Texas ties up the series 1-1, after stomping Seattle 11-3.
Game 3 was a tough matchup before it even started. With King Felix coming to the hill for Seattle, it was sure to be a struggle for the Rangers bats. Texas did manage to jump to a 2-0 lead after King Felix had a pitch get by his catcher. The rubber game wasn’t over yet, as Seattle’s Montero and former Ranger Cruz went all the way in the fourth and sixth, respectively. Colby Lewis snapped his three game win streak, allowing five hits, earning three runs, and only getting six K’s. Seattle pitching held Texas to 0-9 with RISP, and stranding 10. The Rangers lose the game, and thus the series, 4-2.
Texas is back to a .500 record, at 55-55. As it sits, the Rangers are 4.5 games behind Houston for the lead in the AL West. They’re just four games out of Wild Card contention. The American League is turning upside down as the Yankees and the Astros, two of the top teams in the AL, are struggling to find wins. If Texas can find a way to produce, there’s no reason they can’t secure a Wild Card spot.
The Rangers take Monday off, as they travel to Minnesota for another three game series. The action starts Tuesday night, at 7:10pm CST.