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The Rangers were being totally dominated by Sonny Gray for five innings, then came to life in the sixth, which propelled them to their second win in a row against Oakland, their forty-first win of the season, and put them six-and-a-half games up on Seattle to start putting some serious daylight in the division.

*****

SIXTH-INNING MAGIC.
Originally published June 16, 2016.

Last night’s game proved a few things. This Rangers team is for real. It’s special. It’s hard to beat even when you think you have it pinned to the mat. And there are so many offensive weapons that it’s hard to shut down all of them in any given day.

But mainly, this Rangers team is fun to watch. Texas has played slightly more than a third of its season, and yet it has already given us more special, magical moments than I can remember seeing from a Rangers team in the last five years.
Here are a few that come to mind.

THE ONE-DERS: Rangers beat King Felix and Seattle on opening day with just one hit.

THE PUNCH: Rougned Odor cleans Jose Bautista’s clock.

THE THROW: Nomar Mazara throws a laser beam from the right field corner to nail Robinson Cano at second for the final out of the game.

THE HOMER: Down to their last strike, the Rangers miraculously tie the game on Prince Fielder’s home run in the ninth, then win it in the eleventh.

THE DEKE: Elvis Andrus fooled the Indians right fielder into thinking he wasn’t tagging up, then made a mad dash home to spark a Rangers come-from-behind rally.

THE DEZ: After beginning the season hitting .153 through the middle of April, Ian Desmond has caught fire and is now hitting .365 since moving to the two hole.

THE MAZ: Nomar Mazara had a strong debut, going 3-for-4 with a home run.

THE BIG FLIES: Bobby Wilson hits the first Rangers grand slam in a season and a half. Then hits another one.

THE BLITZ-KRIEG: Sonny Gray was dominating the Rangers for five innings, allowing just two singles, leading 5-0. But in the span of three dizzying minutes in the sixth inning, the Rangers offense came alive to score five quick, unlikely runs to tie the game they would eventually win.

So many great moments. So many games left.