Mariners 3, Rangers 2
ARLINGTON, Texas, Jul 16 — Despite a good rally, Saturday’s action saw the Texas Rangers fall to the Seattle Mariners in ten innings by a final score of 3–2. The Rangers are now 4–7 in extra innings this season. Going into the last game before the All-Star break, the Rangers are now 4–5 on their current home stand. On the other side of the field, with Saturday’s win, the Mariners have won their last 13 games. Sunday afternoon marks the final game in this four-game set. Right-hander Chris Flexen (6–8, 3.84 ERA) will get the start for the Mariners. Glenn Otto (4–5, 5.50 ERA) will be the starter for the Rangers.
Career High for Heim
Rangers catcher Jonah Heim has become a fan favorite at Globe Life Field. His defensive skills behind the plate, as well as his offense at the plate, have really opened some eyes. Heim singled in the bottom of the second inning on Saturday. This base hit drove in first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. The Mariners answered right back in the top of the third inning. Seattle DH Carlos Santana hit a two-run home run to center field to give the Mariners a 2–1 lead. First baseman Ty France was on base at that point in the game.
Big Moment
It was a big moment for Rangers DH Elier Hernandez in the bottom of the seventh inning. He tied the game at 2–2 with a single that drove in Leody Taveras. This was the first RBI in Hernandez’ major league career, and there were plenty of high-fives to go around in the dugout. Some very appreciative cheers came from the crowd as well. Despite the nice rally, however, the Rangers just couldn’t get it together in extra innings. In the top of the tenth inning, Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford singled on a ground ball to right field. This allowed DH Sam Haggerty to cross the plate. Haggerty entered the game as a pinch runner earlier in the inning.
Pitching Notes
Right-hander Spencer Howard got the start on Saturday afternoon for the Rangers. Aside from giving up five walks, Howard did well. Both of the runs that he allowed were earned. He did this on five hits. This was the second straight outing in which Howard pitched five innings. He also did it on Monday against the Oakland Athletics. Matt Bush came in to pitch in the sixth inning, and he turned in a perfect frame of all zeroes. Jonathan Hernandez, who was just activated off the 60-day IL on Saturday, came in to pitch in the seventh inning. Considering that it had been two years since he last pitched, Hernandez did very well. He pitched one inning, and surrendered one hit. He also struck out one.
Matt Moore came in to pitch the eighth inning. Much like Hernandez, he gave up one hit, but did not have any strikeouts. Brett Martin pitched the last two innings of Saturday’s ten-inning affair. He gave up one unearned run on three hits. He had one strikeout, and got the losing decision for the Rangers. His record for 2022 now sits at 0–5, with an ERA of 2.61. Right-hander Diego Castillo got the win for Seattle in this one. He pitched one inning in relief, and surrendered just one walk. He also struck out one batter. Matthew Festa got the save for Seattle. It’s his first of the season. He pitched one inning, and struck out three. Despite their rally, the Texas Rangers fell short on Saturday. They’ll try again in the final game on Sunday before the All-Star break.
Main Photo:
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Players Mentioned:
Chris Flexen, Glenn Otto, Jonah Heim, Nathaniel Lowe, Carlos Santana, Ty France, Elier Hernandez, Leody Taveras, J.P. Crawford, Sam Haggerty, Spencer Howard, Jonathan Hernandez, Matt Moore, Brett Martin, Diego Castillo, Matthew Festa, Matt Bush
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