Rangers 4, Reds 3
Rangers 4, Reds 3
- Closer than we’d have preferred, scarier than ideal at the end, but at the end of the day it is a W, and we’ll take that.
- The Rangers scored no runs for eight innings on Saturday, then scored four runs in the ninth. Today, the Rangers scored four runs in the first, then didn’t score any more runs the rest of the way. I can appreciate the symmetry, but I’d appreciate more innings with runs scored more.
- Not only did Texas score all four of their runs in the first inning, they registered four of their six hits in the first inning, as well. Nathaniel Lowe single, Adolis Garcia homer, Jonah Heim single, Wyatt Langford inside-the-park homer.
- That was Langford’s first career homer, and it wasn’t a cheapy — Statcast had it as a barrel that would have been out in six of 30 MLB parks, including GABP, Cincy’s home park. When it bounced off that angled wall in right center where the bullpen is, and bounded past Jake Fraley towards the right field foul line, that was enough for Langford — one of the three fastest players in baseball this year, per Statcast — to make it all the way home without a throw.
- Given the fact that the game ended up being a one run victory, the fact that Langford ended up with four bases rather than having to settled for a double or a triple had a big impact on the outcome.
- And it is funny to me that Langford, a power hitter, has to wait a month for his first major league homer, then when he finally gets it, it doesn’t even leave the park.
- Anyway. After the first inning, Texas only picked up a pair of hits — singles by Lowe and Leody Taveras — as well as three walks. The offense spent most of the day doing nothing, much like on Saturday. It isn’t ideal.
- Still, it was enough, largely due to Dane Dunning’s strong, if not long, outing. Dunning generated 18 swings and misses on just 69 pitches, a remarkable ratio. He also struck out ten batters and didn’t walk anyone.
- This is the third time Dane Dunning has struck out at least ten batters and walked no one in a game for the Rangers. It is the 28th time such a game has been pitched in Rangers history. Nolan Ryan and Yu Darvish each did it four times. Cliff Lee and Gaylord Perry each did it twice. No other Ranger has done it more than once. That’s impressive company.
- The list of Rangers who have done it one times includes such names as John Henry Johnson, Mike Paul, Adrian Sampson and Matt Perisho.
- Dunning was lifted with one out in the sixth, having allowed a double and a single in the inning, with a run having come across. He was only at 69 pitches, so it was something of a surprise that Bruce Bochy pulled him at that point. However, the bullpen was rested and, with an off day Monday, there were guys who could use work, and Dunning was going to be seeing the Reds lineup for a third time. So it does make sense Bochy would go to the pen, in order to shut down the threat in the sixth and let fresh arms go the rest of the way.
- Josh Sborz, however, didn’t cooperate as Bochy had hoped. A single and a stolen base put runners on second and third. Spencer Steer hit a grounder go shortstop that Corey Seager bounced a throw on to first. Lowe couldn’t handle the throw, and both runners ended up scoring, making it 4-3. Steer then stole second, causing more stress, before Sborz retired the final two batters.
- David Robertson struck out three in the seventh, and hit a batter as well, so we can argue about whether he struck out the side. Jacob Latz threw a scoreless eighth, continuing his solid work early this year. Kirby Yates tried to scare us by allowing the tying and go ahead runs on in the ninth, but they didn’t score, so it didn’t matter.
- I do think it says something about Bochy’s confidence in the bullpen that he would pull Dunning in the sixth like that. At this point in 2023 I doubt he’d have done that.
- Dane Dunning topped out at 92.7 mph with his sinker, averaging 90.8 mph. Josh Sborz maxed out at 95.9 mph. David Robertson’s cutter touched 94.2 mph. Jacob Latz reached 95.2 mph with his fastball. Kirby Yates’ fastball got to 94.4 mph.
- Adolis Garcia’s home run was 108.3 mph off the bat. Wyatt Langford’s inside-the-parker was 101.4 mph. Nathaniel Lowe had a 104.7 mph single. Jonah Heim had a 102.0 mph single. Marcus Semien had a 100.2 mph ground out.
- The glorious win in a day game before an off day. We can enjoy this for 48-plus hours.