Texas Rangers Undone By Errors As Houston Astros Take Opener In Crucial Series
The Texas Rangers committed multiple errors for the first time since May 22 in series-opening loss to the Houston Astros.
Jul 12, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Chas McCormick (20) and teammates celebrate second baseman Jose Altuve’s (27) three-run home run in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — When you’re seven games back and in third place in the American League West, head-to-head matchups with the teams in front of you take on extra significance.
That’s what the Texas Rangers were facing as they opened a crucial three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
In the opener Friday night, the Rangers wilted under the pressure, committing two errors, striking out 10 times, and hitting into two double plays in a 6-3 loss.
It’s the Rangers’ first multi-error game since they had four in Philadelphia on May 22, and it’s only their sixth multi-error game this season.
The errors came from the very reliable left side of the infield, too. Shortstop Corey Seager hadn’t committed an error since that game against the Phillies. Third baseman Josh Smith last had a miscue on June 4. Both made crucial errors that led to Astros runs on Friday night.
Seager failed to pick up Mauricio Dubón’s short hop to start the third. Dubón later scored on Yordan Alvarez’s two-out infield single to Seager, who was late throwing to first base. Dubón raced home and scored easily when Seager threw to first to give Houston a 1-0 lead.
After the Rangers cut the Astros’ lead to 3-2 on Seager’s two-run homer in the sixth, a two-out walk and throwing error to first on a slow roller to Smith set up Jose Altuve’s three-run homer.
Three thoughts from Friday’s game:
1. Heaney
Jul 12, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (44) pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Heaney held the Astros to three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings. Solo homers to Jake Meyers in the fourth and Alex Bregman in the fifth were his only mistakes.
2. Up Next
Jul 2, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) reacts during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-3, 3.10) faces Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (4-7, 5.96) in Game 2 at 3:05 p.m. Saturday.
Source:https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/texas-rangers-undone-by-errors-as-houston-astros-take-opener-in-crucial-series
The Texas Rangers committed multiple errors for the first time since May 22 in series-opening loss to the Houston Astros. Jul 12, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Chas McCormick (20) and teammates celebrate second baseman Jose Altuve’s (27) three-run home run in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — When you’re seven games back and in third place in the American League West, head-to-head matchups with the teams in front of you take on extra significance. That’s what the Texas Rangers were facing as they opened a crucial three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. In the opener Friday night, the Rangers wilted under the pressure, committing two errors, striking out 10 times, and hitting into two double plays in a 6-3 loss. It’s the Rangers’ first multi-error game since they had four in Philadelphia on May 22, and it’s only their sixth multi-error game this season. The errors came from the very reliable left side of the infield, too. Shortstop Corey Seager hadn’t committed an error since that game against the Phillies. Third baseman Josh Smith last had a miscue on June 4. Both made crucial errors that led to Astros runs on Friday night. Seager failed to pick up Mauricio Dubón’s short hop to start the third. Dubón later scored on Yordan Alvarez’s two-out infield single to Seager, who was late throwing to first base. Dubón raced home and scored easily when Seager threw to first to give Houston a 1-0 lead.
After the Rangers cut the Astros’ lead to 3-2 on Seager’s two-run homer in the sixth, a two-out walk and throwing error to first on a slow roller to Smith set up Jose Altuve’s three-run homer.
Three thoughts from Friday’s game:
- Heaney
- Andrew Heaney held the Astros to three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings. Solo homers to Jake Meyers in the fourth and Alex Bregman in the fifth were his only mistakes.
- Up Next
- Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-3, 3.10) faces Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (4-7, 5.96) in Game 2 at 3:05 p.m. Saturday.
Looking ahead for the Rangers, it will be crucial for them to bounce back in the remaining games of the series against the Astros. With key players like Seager and Smith committing rare errors in the first game, the team will need to tighten up their defense and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Eovaldi will have the opportunity to lead the Rangers to victory in the second game against the Astros. With his solid pitching performance this season, the team will look to him to set the tone and shut down the Astros’ offense.
Overall, the Rangers have shown resilience throughout the season, and they will need to rely on that resilience to overcome the early setbacks in this crucial series. Fans can expect an intense matchup as the Rangers look to gain ground in the division standings.
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Source: CNN
