ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers turned a potentially disheartening defeat into an electrifying victory at Globe Life Field on Saturday afternoon, overcoming a late-game surge by the Tampa Bay Rays to secure a 4-3 win.
The game seemed to be slipping from the Rangers’ grasp in the seventh inning when the Rays’ Yandy Diaz slammed a three-run homer off Rangers’ reliever Jacob Latz, wiping out their early two-run lead. However, Texas, which had previously struggled in games where they were trailing after six innings (2-33 record), found a hero in Marcus Semien. The second baseman delivered a crucial two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh that recaptured the lead and eventually the game for the Rangers.
Texas had initially set a solid foundation with runs in the second and third innings. Jonah Heim started the scoring by doubling and coming home on Andrew Knizner’s single, followed by Semien, who walked and scored on a single by Nathaniel Lowe in the third inning. The lead stood until Tampa Bay’s seventh-inning rally.
On the mound, Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney exhibited stellar form, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, while allowing just three hits and two walks. Notably, Heaney achieved a personal milestone during the game, recording his 1,000th career strikeout by fanning Amed Rosario. This achievement placed him among the ranks of 555 pitchers in major league history to reach the landmark.
In other news from the game, Rangers outfielder Adolis García saw his impressive 15-game on-base streak end. He went 0 for 4, marking a slight dip from his recent performance, which included batting .236 and notching three homers along with four RBI over the duration of his streak.
Looking ahead, the Rangers are set for a closing showdown in this series against the Rays on Sunday. Nathan Eovaldi is slated to start for Texas, facing off against Zack Littell of Tampa Bay in what promises to be an engaging pitcher’s duel at 1:35 p.m.
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