Published By: Blake Cole August 2, 2015
Texas tops the three game series here at home (2-1), against an exceptional San Francisco Giants club. The series featured good batting, good pitching, and good outings for the newly acquired talent.
The first game was clutch for RHP Nick Martinez, as he takes his record to 6-6. With 6 1/3 innings pitched, Martinez offered his best showing since June. He started slow, letting runs happen in the first and second innings, but no more through the rest of his outing. However, the bats were booming. Beltre had a two-run homer (8), as well as another two-run knocker by Andrus (4). The highlight for most fans was the bench-clearing in a testy fourth inning. After Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner expressed his unhappiness with a few incidents he deemed unacceptable (a bat flip after a pop out from DeShields, and a knock-out slide attempt from Odor), Beltre left the bench to offer his two-cents. Both sides clear their benches, but umpires quickly corral everyone back to their respective sides. Texas ends up taking the game, with a final of 6-3.
Game two was truly the one that got away for Texas. In his first start for Texas, Cole Hamels records a loss, thanks to the bullpen. He allowed five runs in 7 2/3 innings, but left the game with the Rangers ahead 7-4, and in good position to earn his first win with Texas. Enter Tanner Scheppers. He arrives up by three, allowed two doubles and a single that tied the game at seven. Sam Dyson goes down with the loss, snapping a three-game win streak. It wasn’t all bad for Texas. Catcher Bobby Wilson, who was just picked up on a waiver claim, had two RBI singles. Definitely what the club wanted to see from their new guy. Texas loses in the 11th, 9-7.
The final game featured exceptional pitching by Martin Perez. He allowed only one hit through eight innings. That’s quit an accomplishment against a Giants team who walked into today’s game ranked second in the NL in batting. After showing signs of being tired in the 9th, Perez exits with Texas ahead 2-0. Diekman and Dyson both allowed doubles in the 9th, as well as the Giants’ only run. One run didn’t matter though, as Josh Hamilton pushed the Rangers ahead in the sixth. After a sly single by Moreland, JHam walks up to the plate. With two outs, he cracks one deep to score Moreland and himself (his fifth HR). The Rangers seal the series with the win, 2-1.
This series should restore some confidence for fans, as the Rangers improve their record to 51-53, closer to earning that Wild Card spot. The Giants came to Texas as a top-dog in their league. Being able to beat them in the series, with solid pitching and connecting bats, is a good sign for the club. Even in the one loss, Texas got to see Hamels bring good quality to the mound, as well as good drives from Bobby Wilson. And of course, Josh Hamilton’s game three home run showed to some remaining skeptical fans that he might still be worth another chance here in the Lone Star state.
The Houston Astros drive up to Arlington to start their three game series against the Rangers tomorrow night. The first game will feature Colby Lewis (11-4, 4.42) on the hill for the Rangers, and future Astros star Lance McCullers (5-3, 2.48) for the Astros. The battle for Best In Texas begins at 7:05pm CST, Monday night.