The Rangers played a double header last night.
They lost the first game 6-0 in four innings.
They won the second game. 7-0 in six innings.
If last night seemed like two completely different games were played in one, it’s because they were.
It’s what happens now when managers play pitch count baseball. Giants starter Dereck Rodriguez was cruising, holding the Rangers to just two runs through six innings. But once a starter gets to ninety pitches, time to remove him no matter how dominating.
And that’s when the Rangers went to work.
One in the seventh. One in the eight. Down to their last strike, down two runs in the ninth, an error gave Rougned Odor one more chance to tie it. And he did, with a stunning game-tying home run in the ninth. Then a bases-loaded walk in the tenth to win it.
Thank you, Bruce Bochy, for knowing how to count. Thank you for being such a good sport. Thank you for giving a team a chance.
It was much appreciated.
*****
TODAY’S GAME:
Martin Perez (2-5, 6.93) vs. Andrew Suarez (4-9, 4.68)
Game time: 3:05
The Rangers have never hit against Suarez.
How the Giants hit against Perez.