The Texas surge is uncharacteristic. It’s another win over the American League’s best team with 101 wins. They are now one win away from their first league championship series in 12 years.
The Texas Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles 11-8 in Game 2 of the 2023 Major League Baseball American League Division Series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday (Sept. 9).
Texas started left-hander Jordan Montgomery on the mound and went with a starting lineup of Marcus Semien (second base), Corey Seager (shortstop), Mitch Garber (designated hitter), Adolis Garcia (right field), Evan Carter (left field), Jonah Heim (catcher), Nate Lowe (first base), Josh Young (third base), and Leodis Taveras (center field).
Baltimore countered with right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on the mound and a batting order of Adley Rutherford (catcher), Ryan Mountcastle (first base), Anthony Santander (designated hitter), Gunner Henderson (third base), Austin Hayes (left field), Aaron Hicks (right field), Jordan Westberg (second base), Cedric Mullins (center field), and Jorge Mateo (shortstop).
Baltimore got off to a good start. They scored two runs in the top of the first inning. One out later, Mountcastle led off with an infield single to center field, and after Santander grounded out to shortstop, Henderson singled up the middle and Hayes walked to load the bases for Baltimore. Hicks followed with a single to right, scoring two runners and giving Baltimore a two-run lead.
However, Texas began to explode in the top of the second inning. In fact, after a scoreless first inning in which they threatened to explode with the bases loaded, Texas started the second with a leadoff walk to Lowe, followed by Young’s single up the middle to put runners on first and third, and Taveras’ RBI single to left tied the game at 2-2.
Seeger walked to load the bases, but Garber’s throw to the pitcher was misplayed, leading to an infield hit that scored Taveras from third to make it 3-2 and Garcia’s RBI single up the middle made it 4-2. Carter grounded out to shortstop to put runners on second and third, and this time Haim singled to left. Texas took a 5-2 lead.
Baltimore hurriedly replaced Rodriguez, but the water had already been spilled. In the bottom of the inning, the Rangers had runners on second and third, but Mountcastle grounded out to shortstop to end the threat.
토토사이트Texas’ offense came alive in the top of the third. One out later, Taveras drew a walk and Semien followed with a single. Seeger drew a walk to load the bases, and Texas was able to drive in the first run of the inning when Garber blasted a three-run homer to left field to make it 9-2. With runners on 3B and 1S, there was no way he could miss Jacob Webb’s 94 mph (151 km/h) four-seam fastball on a five-pitch count.
Baltimore starter Grayson Rodriguez threw a 95-mph (161-kilometer) fastball and was retired early.
Texas reliever Bradford pitched a scoreless inning.
Texas’ Corey Seager drew five walks.
Baltimore didn’t sit still. The Orioles failed to score in the bottom of the third when Hicks was thrown out at second base with two outs, but they rallied in the top of the fourth when Westberg doubled to left, Mateo singled up the middle and Mountcastle drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to right field.
However, Texas would not be denied in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with no outs on a walk to Taveras, a single up the middle by Semien, and a single by Seager before Garber was thrown out at third on a fielder’s choice, allowing Taveras to score from third.
Baltimore got a run back in the bottom of the fifth on Henderson’s solo homer to right, but couldn’t get any closer. With runners on first and third in the bottom of the sixth, the Orioles were unable to capitalize as Mountcastle struck out and Santander flied out to center field, and they were left stranded with runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth as Mountcastle grounded out to shortstop.
Texas finally got on the board in the top of the ninth, scoring a run on Young’s double to right and Semier’s grounder to shortstop to make it 11-5. Baltimore responded in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run homer to right-center field by Hicks, but it was too much to overcome.
For Texas, Montgomery struggled on the day, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings, but Cody Bradford was able to pick up the win with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out four and walking none. Bradford also earned the win.
The offense pounded out 11 hits, highlighted by Garber’s five RBIs, including a grand slam. Garber exploded for six hits, two doubles, five RBIs and two runs scored on the day. Seeger, the No. 2 hitter, drew five walks in the game to help his team to victory.
Texas players celebrate after the win
Baltimore snaps two-game losing streak.
Aaron Hicks pounded out five hits, including a three-run homer.
Baltimore, on the other hand, struggled as starter Rodriguez was knocked around for five runs on six hits and four walks in just 1⅔ innings. He touched 100 mph (161 km/h) on the day, but struggled with his pitches and was forced to leave early. The batsmen had to accept defeat despite exploding for 14 hits. Hicks went 2-for-5 with a home run, five RBIs and one run scored, while Mateo went 4-for-4 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored, but it didn’t translate into a win for Baltimore.
Texas went 90-72 in the regular season this year and clinched an American League wild card spot, making the postseason for the first time in seven years since 2016. If Texas defeats Baltimore and advances to the American League Championship Series, it will be the franchise’s first appearance in the league championship series in 12 years, since 2011. Texas’ last World Series appearance also came in 2011. They have yet to win a World Series title.
Despite winning 101 games this year and leading the American League in wins, Baltimore has struggled in the postseason. After reaching the postseason for the first time in seven years in 2016, the Orioles have a chance to win their first World Series title in 40 years since 1983, but they’re on the brink.
Texas returns home in high spirits after winning two straight on the road. Game 3 of the division series will be played on April 11 at Texas’ home field, Globe Life Field.