Orioles 7, Rangers 2
ARLINGTON, Texas, Aug 1 — The Texas Rangers struggled on Monday night as they lost to the Baltimore Orioles by a final score of 7–2. A pair of home runs by Corey Seager and Nick Solak was all they could put together on Monday, and ultimately, it was not enough to get them a victory in their first game back from a lengthly road trip. It was was also their first game of the second half of the season in front of their home crowd. On this night it was a crowd of 19,161 fans. The middle game in this three-game set between these two clubs is on Tuesday at Globe Life Field. The Orioles will send former Ranger Jordan Lyles (7–8, 4.56) to the mound in that game. The Rangers, meanwhile, will give the ball to right-hander Spencer Howard (2–2, 5.93 ERA).
Rangers Out-hit by Orioles
The Rangers were out-hit, and outscored, by the Orioles on Monday. The Orioles got things started right away in the top of the first inning. A lead-off home run by center-fielder Cedric Mullins gave Baltimore an early 1–0 lead. They made it 2–0 in the top of the second inning. After a play that was challenged by the Rangers was upheld, Mullins was awarded first base with an RBI single that drove in left-fielder Terrin Vavra. Later in the inning, Jorge Mateo scored on a single by Anthony Santander. The play also advanced Mullins to third base, and catcher Adley Rutschman to second base. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle made it 4–0 Orioles in the bottom of the second inning on a single to left field. This allowed Mullins to score.
The Orioles scored their fifth run against the Rangers in the top half of the fourth inning. Mullins scored again on this play. This time, it was on a an RBI double by Rutschman. Rutschman would soon be driven in by a double by Ryan Mountcastle. Their seventh run in the top of the seventh inning. Right-fielder Ryan McKenna scored on a line drive double by Jorge Mateo. This came off of Rangers reliever Brett Martin. Incidentally, this was the Rangers’ sixth straight loss against an AL East opponent this year.
Seager, Solak Go Deep for Rangers
The only bright spot on Monday for the Rangers was the long ball. Texas managed to hit two of them. They came off the bats of Corey Seager and Nick Solak. Both home runs were solo shots. Seager’s came first in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was given up by Baltimore starter Spenser Watkins, and it soared to right-center field. The thing that fans want to see is more men on base when Seager goes yard.
The majority of his 24 homers have been of the solo variety, and you can’t win many ballgames that way. The second home run came off the bat of Nick Solak in the bottom of the eighth inning. It went to left field, and it was his third of the season. The solo shot may not have won the game for the Rangers, but it did have some significance attached to it. It was the first pinch-hit home run of Solak’s career. It was also the fourth pinch-hit home run for the Rangers this year.
Trade Deadline
During this time of year, all 30 major league baseball teams begin to consider their trade options and needs for the MLB Trade Deadline, which falls on August 2. With this in mind, the Rangers have started early. Behind the scenes of their 7–2 loss to the Orioles, there was a frenzy of activity going on for the Rangers. By the time the last out was recorded on Monday night, the Rangers brokered a deal that sent right-handed reliever Matt Bush to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infielder Mark Mathias, and left-handed pitcher Antoine Kelly. Time will tell if they decide to make any more moves.
Main Photo:
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Players Mentioned:
Corey Seager, Nick Solak, Jordan Lyles, Spencer Howard, Cedric Mullins, Terrin Vavra, Jorge Mateo, Anthony Santander, Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan McKenna, Brett Martin, Spenser Watkins, Matt Bush, Mark Mathias, Antoine Kelly
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