Tag: texas rangers

The Texas Rangers Adolis Garcia steals home on a slide ahead of the tag by San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey in the first inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sun Jun 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, June 8, 2024

Globe Life Field

Arlington, Texas

San Francisco Giants 2 (32-34)

Texas Rangers 7 (31-34)

Win: Nathan Eovaldi (3-2)

Loss: Keaton Winn (3-7)

Time: 2:16

Attendance: 34,912

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants were unable to get the sweep, as Keaton Winn got rocked for seven runs in his return from the Injured List, and the Rangers beat the Giants in the finale of this three game series in Arlington, Texas 7-2.

The Giants’ fortunes have dramatically changed over the last few days. They salvaged a game in their series in Arizona on Wednesday to snap a six-game losing streak, and they started a three-game winning streak. Sunday, the Giants looked to sweep the Rangers and make it four in a row.

Sadly, many Giants fans would not be able to watch the game, because it was being exclusively broadcasted on Roku, which requires a subduction. Roku is one of a handful of subscription platforms that Major League Baseball and Commissioner Rob Manfred have made deals with over the last two and a half years to broadcast games. With many fans wisely not wanting to pay for a monthly subscription to watch one baseball game, they were out of luck.

Anyway, making the start Sunday for the Giants was Keaton Winn, who was coming off the 15-Day Injured List. Winn strained his right forearm in last start on May 14 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park.

Making the start for Texas was the longtime veteran right-hander, Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi was an instrumental part of the Boston Red Sox’ 108-win world championship season in 2018, as he was for the Rangers in their run to the title last season. He came into this game 2-2 over nine starts this season with a 2.70 ERA.

The Giants’ offense, which has thrived off hitting seven home runs in their last three games, but which has still wasted many opportunities, would have a hard rule against Eovaldi Sunday. The white-hot Heliot Ramos struck out looking to begin the game, and Eovaldi proceeded to throw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first.

Before going on the IL, Winn was off to a bad start. He was 3-6 with a 6.17 ERA in nine games, and the Rangers were ready to tee off him Sunday. Marcus Semien was hit in the hand by Winn’s first pitch back to start the bottom of the first. The trainers tended to Semien, who remained in the game, and then pulled a Rickey Henderson by immediately stealing second base.

Josh Smith walked, and Adolis Garcia lined a base-hit to left to load the bases with nobody out. Winn was in deep trouble, but he struck Nathaniel Lowe and Ezequiel Duran both out swinging, and he now had a chance to get out of the inning without any damage.

However, Wyatt Langford singled on a ground ball up the middle and into left-center to knock in a pair and give the Rangers an early 2-0 lead. Bruce Bochy then put on a crafty double steal. Langford stole second, and when catcher Patrick Bailey made the throw to second, Garcia stole him. That capped off a really tough inning for the Giants, and the Rangers had a 3-0 lead.

Eovaldi threw another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, and the Rangers would be right back at it against Winn in the bottom of the second. Travis Jankowski lined a base-hit to lead off the inning and stole second. The Rangers had now already stolen four bases through the first inning-plus of this game. Leody Taveras struck out swinging, and then Semien hit a two-run home run to left to make it 5-0.

It was 5-0, but it was early. The Giants made a habit of coming back from big deficits during their last hot stretch two and a half weeks ago. However, the Giants were now home run happy, and if they wanted to come back Sunday, they would have to do what they did during their stretch two and a half weeks ago: string base-hits, keep the line moving and get the key hits with runners in scoring position.

The Giants actually did that in the top of the third. Casey Schmitt lined a base-hit to left with one out, and Trenton Brooks singled Schmitt over to second. Ramos flew out to center, and the Giants were preparing to waste another opportunity, but Bailey lined a base-hit the other way to left to score Schmitt and put the Giants on the board.

The Giants only got one run, but it was a start. Winn would now have to settle down on the mound, which he somewhat did when he escaped a two-out triple in the bottom of the third.

It was now 5-1 Texas going to the fourth. Michael Conforto and Thairo Estrada both grounded out for the first two outs in the top of the fourth, but Mike Yastrzemski then blasted his seventh home run of the season to right to make it 5-2.

The Giants were back in it, and Winn pitched his first 1-2-3 inning of the day in the bottom of the fourth. Eovaldi countered that with a 1-2-3 top of the fifth, but the Rangers would be ready to pounce on Winn again in the bottom of the fifth.

Josh Smith drew a leadoff walk, and Garcia lined out to left. Lowe then doubled to left to put runners at second and third with one out, and that ended Winn’s day. Bob Melvin went to Randy Rodriguez, who has been quite reliable as of late, but Rodriguez was welcomed to the game with a base-hit by Tovar to right to score two and make it 7-2.

Rodriguez got out of the inning without any further damage, but enough damage was already done. Winn really did struggle in his return, as the Rangers torched him for seven runs in just four and a third innings.

After the Giants wasted an opportunity against Eovaldi in the top of the sixth, the rest of the game would prove to be quite uneventful.

Rodeiguez pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the Dutch, and Eovaldi pitched one last 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh to cap off another strong performance.

Left-hander Taylor Rogers got an appearance and pitched through a base-hit and a walk in the bottom of the seventh, and Luke Jackson threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth. For the Rangers, Jose Leclerc pitched a 1-2-3 top of the eighth, and Kirby Yates did the same in the top of the ninth to end the game. Rangers’ pitching ended up retiring 10-straight Giants to end it.

Nathan Eovaldi got the win, and Keaton Winn took the loss. The Giants were unable to back up to .500, as they fall back to 32-34.

The Giants will return home to San Francisco for an all-interleague six-game homestand against the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros will come to Oracle Park for a three-game series Monday night. Kyle Harrison (4-3, ERA 4.18) will return to the rotation after his start was pushed back two days, and he will be opposed by Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (3-5, ERA 5.79). First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

With Keaton Winn activated off the Injured List, utility man Tyler Fitzgerald was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento.

Heliot Ramos salutes after hitting a two run home run against the Texas Rangers in the top of the third inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sat Jun 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Globe Life Field

Arlington, Texas

San Francisco Giants 3 (32-33)

Texas Rangers 1 (30-34)

Win: Erik Miller (1-2)

Loss: Andrew Heaney (2-7)

Save: Camilo Doval (11)

Time: 2:33

Attendance: 34,843

By Stephen Ruderman

Heliot Ramos stayed on fire, as he went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run and knocked in all three runs for the Giants, while Spencer Howard was solid in four and two thirds innings, as they led the Giants to their third-straight win, 3-1 over the Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

The Giants snapped their six-game losing streak on Wednesday, and have since won two-straight. Saturday, they looked to make it three in a row against the Rangers and their left-hander, Andrew Heaney.

The Giants got things going right away against Heaney in the top of the first inning. Austin Slater walked to start the game, and that brought up the white-hot Heliot Ramos, who lined a double into the gap in left-center field to score Slater and put the Giants on the board early.

The Giants were looking to go big in the first inning, but in typical fashion with this frustrating Giants’ offense, the next three guys all went down, and Ramos was left hanging at second base.

Saturday was Kyle Harrison’s turn in the rotation, and it was assumed by this writer that he would make the start Saturday, but I was wrong. Bob Melvin decided to go with right-handler and former Ranger Spencer Howard instead. Howard gave up two runs but pitched well over four and two thirds innings in relief on Monday in Arizona, which gave his skipper the confidence to give him the start Saturday.

Howard got himself in trouble, however, in the bottom of the first. Marcus Semien and Josh Smith both walked to start the inning, and Semien got to third when Adolis Garcia flew out to right for the first out. Nathaniel Lowe then knocked in Semien with a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game. Howard gave up a run, pretty much for free, as he didn’t give up a hit.

Heaney threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, and he settled down to retire six-straight following Ramos’ double. Howard gave up a one-out single to Travis Jankowski in the bottom of the second, but he pitched a scoreless inning regardless.

Tyler Fitzgerald popped out to start the top of the third, but Slater did his thing and lined an opposite-field base-hit to right. That brought up Ramos, who hit a two-run home run to left, his sixth of the year, to put the Giants back ahead.

The Giants gave Howard a 3-1 lead to work with, and it appeared he was going to need it. Smith singled with one out in the bottom of the third, and Garcia walked to put runners at first and second. Howard then got Lowe to ground into a 6-3 double play to end the inning without any damage.

The game then started to roll along a bit, as Heaney pitched 1-2-3 innings in both the top of the fourth and fifth, and Howard pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth. Leody Tavares originally reached on an infield hit to start on the bottom of the fifth, but upon review, Tavares was out on a putout to first. Semien flew out, and Melvin pulled Howard after four and two thirds for left-handed Erik Miller, who struck out Smith to end the inning.

Melvin’s confidence in Howard definitely paid off. While Howard struggled a bit early on with his control, he pitched more smoothly in the middle innings. All in all, he gave up two runs on three hits and three walks.

Ramos flew out to center to start the top of the sixth, but Wilmer Flores and Matt Chapman singled to put runners at first and second with one out. Michael Conforto struck out looking for the second, and Bruce Bochy then went to the veteran right-hander Jon Gray. Jorge Soler was at the plate, and his struggles in key RBI situations continued once again, as he struck out swinging to end the inning.

Miller and Ryan Walker combined to throw a scoreless bottom of the sixth. Fitzgerald singled, and Mike Yastrzemski walked with two outs in the top of the seventh, but Ramos struck out swinging to end the inning and another wasted opportunity for the Giants.

Walker pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh, and Gray did the same in the top of the eighth. Tyler Rogers came in for the bottom of the eighth, and he, you guessed it, pitched a 1-2-3 inning.

Jesus Tinoco came in for Texas in the top of the ninth, and he retired the first two men he faced. Patrick Bailey pinch-hit and drew a two-out walk, as did Fitzgerald. It was another opportunity for the Giants to put some much-needed padding on their lead. Bochy pulled Tinoco for Jacob Latz, who struck Yastrzemski out to end the inning, and the Giants yet again wasted a golden opportunity.

Closer Camilo Doval came in for the bottom of the ninth. Doval pitched a much-needed 1-2-3 inning for his 10th save Friday night in what was his first appearance since his disastrous blown save against the Yankees on Sunday.

Saturday, Doval would struggle, and would once again make things tense for the Giants and their fans. Lowe walked to lead off the inning, and Ezequiel Duran flew out to right. Jonah Heim beat out an infield hit, and Jankowski grounded out to first for the second out to move the runners to second and third.

The Giants led 3-1 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Rangers had the tying runs at second and third for Leody Taveras. Taveras then engaged Doval in a long and grueling battle. On a 2-2 pitch, Taveras hit a bullet down the right field line that went just foul and allowed Giants fans to make a massive sigh of relief. Taveras then flew out to right to end the game, and the Giants held on to win it 3-1.

Erik Miller got the win, as he was the one who came in for Spencer Howard, who was one out away from the win, in the bottom of the fifth; Andrew Heaney took the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up his 11th save.

Ramos led the way with his 2-for-4 day, and he is on fire. However, while the Giants have hit seven home runs in their last three games, they are still struggling in key RBI situations, and if they get too home run happy, it’s going to get them in trouble. Still, it is undeniable that this has been a completely different team since Melvin aired them out after Tuesday night’s loss.

It is unfortunate that Howard didn’t get the win, because it would have capped off the most perfect week for him. He started the road trip by being able to sleep in his own bed in Arizona, and then he got his world series ring Friday. Howard pitched for the Rangers at the beginning of last season, which made him eligible for a ring. Still, it was quite an unforgettable week for Howard, who truly put himself on the map for the Giants with his two solid performances.

Keaton Winn (3-6, ERA 6.17) will come off the Injured List to make the start Sunday, as the Giants will try to complete the sweep over the Rangers at Globe Life Field. The Rangers will start RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, ERA 2.70) First pitch will be at 12:05 p.m. in Arlington, and 10:05 a.m. for morning baseball in San Francisco.

San Francisco Giants Michael Conforto circles the bases after connecting for a two run home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington on Fri Jun 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

Friday, June 7, 2024

Globe Life Field

Arlington, Texas

San Francisco Giants 5 (31-33)

Texas Rangers 2 (30-33)

Win: Logan Webb (5-5)

Loss: David Robertson (2-3)

Save: Camilo Doval (10)

Time: 2:37

Attendance: 35,868

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have won two-straight, as a strong start from Logan Webb, three home runs—two from Wilmer Flores—and a three-hit day from Heliot Ramos carried the Giants to a series-opening 5-2 win over old pal Bruce Brochy and the defending world champion Texas Rangers.

The Giants left the hot desert in Arizona for the hot and flat prairie lands of Arlington, Texas to start the second leg of this all-2023 World Series road trip. The Giants enjoyed a day off in Arlington yesterday after they snapped their unfortunate six-game losing streak on Wednesday in Arizona. Friday night, they looked to build on that against Bochy and the Rangers.

The Giants sent their ace, Logan Webb, to the hill, to open the series. The Rangers went with the veteran right-hander, Michael Lorenzen. Both pitchers pitched scoreless innings out of the gate, and Webb pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of first.

Wilmer Flores, who hit a grand slam in the third inning on Wednesday in Arizona, kept his power going, as he hit a home run to left-center field with one out in the top of the second. Webb then pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the second.

Heliot Ramos led off the top of the third with a base-hit, and Matt Chapman walked with one out. However, Michael Conforto flew out to center, and Jorge Soler’s struggles in key RBI situations continued, as he grounded into a force play to end the inning.

With one out in the bottom of the third, Ezequiel Duran singled on a ground ball up the middle for the Rangers’ first hit of the game. However, Webb pitched another scoreless inning regardless.

Flores led off the top of the fourth with his second home run of the game, as he now had three home runs in two games.

“When Flo gets hot, he gets hot,” said Webb. “He hasn’t changed one bit since I’ve met him. Everyday, he does the same exact thing. I think when you’re pretty consistent in what you do, I think good things happen…I feel like the same thing’s happened since he’s been here. He maybe doesn’t play as much early on, then [as] he starts to play more, and the ‘Flo’ comes out. He’s just a professional hitter. I think pitchers that have faced him before will probably say the exact same thing. He lets me know about the one time I faced him, which I think he went 3-for-3 off me [in] my debut.”

Webb pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth.

Ramos led off the fifth by lining a base-hit the other way to right. Patrick Bailey flew out, but Matt Chapman singled on a ground ball to right, and Conforto walked to load the bases with one out.

Bochy pulled Lorenzen for Jonathan Hernandez. Soler and Flores both struck out swinging with the bases loaded, and the Giants wasted yet another opportunity.

Webb had kept the Rangers at bay over the first four innings, but the bottom of the fifth would be very different. Nathaniel Lowe led off the inning with a single to left, and Wyatt Langford hit a double to put runners at second and third with nobody out. Robbie Grossman put the Rangers on the board with a sacrifice fly to just shy of the warning track out to Mike Yastrzemski in right-center, which scored Lowe and moved Langford over to third.

Bob Melvin then did something very uncommon, and had the Giants’ infield play in to keep the tying run from scoring. It backfired, however, as Duran singled on a ground ball to left-center that very well could have been fielded by Brett Wisely at short had the infield been playing at normal depth.

The game was now tied 2-2. Leody Tavares to left, but Marcus Semien singled Duran over to third. With the Rangers 90 feet away from their first lead of the day, Webb was able to get Josh Smith to end the inning.

Yastrzemski drew a walk to start the top of the sixth, but Hernandez retired the side in order afterwards. Webb then settled back down to throw a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth.

Right-hanger David Robertson, now one of the longest-tenured players in Baseball, came in to pitch for the Rangers in the top of the seventh. Bailey grounded out to third to start the inning, but Chapman walked, and Conforto hit a two-run home run out to right-center to put the Giants back ahead.

“Earlier in the at-bat, I think I just took a bad swing on a cutter…..I just had a feeling [Robertson] was going to go back to it, and I took a better swing late in the at-bat,” said Conforto. “[I] always have to try and remember less is more, especially with cutter guys.

Logan Webb ended his night with a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh. Webb is an innings eater, which made it a bit surprising that he didn’t go out for one more inning, but he did appear to have a grimace on his face as he walked off the field.

“I think he [was] just kinda off balanced [when he threw his last pitch],” said Melvin. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. Hopefully, it’s just a little bit of a stinger.”

Webb gave up four runs in what was still a mostly-solid outing against the Yankees last Saturday. While the numbers didn’t reflect that in his last start, the numbers were undeniable in his start Friday night. Two runs and five hits over seven innings with six strikeouts and not a single walk, not bad.

“I thought to start the game, that was probably the best stuff I’ve had all year,” said Webb. “The days you get the mechanics and the feel, usually good things happen, and today was one of those days where I felt good. I thought my mechanics were better…..I kinda got away from it [in the fifth], and then I felt like I got to it towards the end.”

Grant Anderson, who finished the top of the seventh for Texas, was back out for the top of the eighth. Thairo Estrada lined a base-hit up the middle to start the inning, and Wisely walked. Ramos then came up and grounded a base-hit up the middle into center field for his third hit of the game to knock in Estrada and make it 5-2.

Bochy pulled Anderson for Jesus Tinoco, who retired the side in order to end the inning. Submariner Tyler Rogers followed that up with a shutdown 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth.

Gerson Garabito pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth for the Rangers, and Melvin brought in his closer, Camilo Doval, for the first duke since the latter gave up four runs on a career-high four hits in what was a brutal blown save and loss on Sunday. It was a big outing for Doval, and responded nicely by shutting down the Rangers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth to close it out.

Logan Webb got the win; David Robertson took the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up his 10th save of the year.

The Giants improve to 31-33, and they’ll try and make it three in a row in a late-afternoon affair Saturday. Left-hander Kyle Harrison (4-3, ERA 4.18) will go for San Francisco for Texas Andrew Heaney (2-6, ERA 3.99). First pitch will be at 3:05 p.m. in Arlington, 1:05 p.m in San Francisco