Matt Bush picked up his second major league win in a June 11 game on the road against the Mariners. The Rangers won 2-1 with a run in the top of the eleventh after a dramatic home run in the bottom of the ninth from Prince Fielder tied it with two outs and two strikes. One last hurrah for Fielder.

*****

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.
Originally published June 12, 2016.

Raise your hand if, when Prince Fielder came up to bat with two outs in the ninth inning, you figured the game was over. A great pitching performance from Colby Lewis was wasted. The Rangers were going to lose 1-0.

And, when Fielder had two strikes on him, you were positive the game was over, and the road trip was starting off the worst way possible, with two losses in a row, the first time the Rangers lost two in a row since May 17 and 18 when they were swept in Oakland.

And, when he swung and the ball went sailing into the air and toward the seats, you still thought it was going to somehow defy physics and bend 180 degrees back into the outfielder’s glove for yet another Prince Fielder pop up to end an inning, because that’s how it always works.

And, when the ball landed for a last-moment-possible game-tying home run, and you threw your fist triumphantly in the air and danced around the coffee table like a crazy person, Prince Fielder was your favorite Ranger of all time, at least for the four minutes it took him to circle the bases.

Last night, the old adage “better late than never” applied in more ways than one. Finally, after sixty-two games, the game-changing Prince Fielder showed up.

Finally, after eight brilliant innings of Colby Lewis three-hit pitching, the Rangers were able to prevent his best start of the year from being his first loss of the year.

Finally, late into the night, after ten innings of baseball, the Rangers took their first lead in the eleventh, thanks to a Rougned Odor home run on the first pitch of the inning.

Finally, we could all get some sleep.

Some very happy sleep.