You’re gonna need a bigger Boone
The Texas Rangers scored no runs but the Boston Red Sox scored five runs.
After back-to-back decent games with solid, albeit kind of flukish BABIP-dependent output at the plate, Texas didn’t score today. They also went 0-for-7 with RISP. The Rangers haven’t had a hit with runners in scoring position over the last two games. That drought is now at 17 attempts.
Also, a blister that knocked him out for nearly a month has seemingly halted all of the gains that Jack Leiter made throughout the spring, as he has now turned in three consecutive command-less outings. This is always going to be the battle for Leiter, but it’s deflating considering how good he looked at Surprise and in his first couple of starts.
After a win in the opener, and their first consecutive victories in two weeks, the Rangers lost the next two to drop the series. That’s just how things are going, Boone or no Boone.
Player of the Game: The Rangers had just five hits today (one fewer than Boston!). Three of them were by career .241 hitter Tucker Barnhart, who is only up here because Kyle Higashioka strained an intercostal muscle.
Up Next: Things don’t get much easier for Texas as they immediately head to Detroit to face the American League’s current best pitcher LHP Tarik Skubal and the AL Central-leading Tigers. The Rangers will counter with LHP Patrick Corbin in maybe the most lopsided probable of the season.
Anyway, the Friday evening first pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 5:40 pm CT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.