DALLAS — The Texas Rangers needed something to feel proud about coming off of a losing series against San Diego that marked the latest indignity in a season that hasn’t gone to plan. To make matters worse, they were entering a series with the persistently troublesome Tampa Bay Rays.
The month of June was not very kind to Texas, and even though the All-Star break is just around the corner, the Rangers are in desperate need to make a big push in the final week and a half of the first half to not completely rule themselves out of playoff contention.
Persistently troublesome or not, Texas made big strides over the weekend by sweeping the Rays and securing a winning homestand.
Game 88: Tampa Bay 0, Texas 3 (W: Lorenzen, 5-4, L: Baz, 0-1, Sv: Yates, 12)
Game 89: Tampa Bay 3, Texas 4 (W: Hernandez, 2-0, L: Kelly, 2-1, Sv: Yates, 13)
Game 90: Tampa Bay 2, Texas 13 (W: Eovaldi, 6-3, L: Littell, 3-6)
Getting the job done
The line score for Friday’s contest will read that it was a shutout. The Rays were held to just three hits in the series opener. But that’s not to say that Tampa Bay was not without their fair share of baserunners.
In addition to the three knocks – two singles and a double – the Rays drew nine passes off Rangers’ pitching, including a passed ball strikeout. Ultimately there was no damage, but Texas pitchers struggled to find the zone only to weave their way in and out of trouble.
Starter Michael Lorenzen pitched five scoreless, but he also started the issues with finding the zone. The righty needed 90 pitches to get through just five frames, in which he walked five of the eight Rays that reached base via base on balls.
Lorenzen wasn’t the only hurler to have difficulties with efficiency; Jose Leclerc took 20 pitches to complete an inning and Jake Latz threw 18 pitches without making it out of his frame. Still, with their mettle tested, the pitching staff was able to find ways to dispatch a very plate-disciplined Rays team.
Another arm infirmed
Before Friday’s game, the Rangers placed swingman Dane Dunning on the 15-day injured list with shoulder tightness. This marks the second time that Dunning has been on the IL, after a trip earlier this year with a rotator cuff strain.
While Dunning isn’t expected to spend longer than the minimum on the IL, he is being given additional time for the arm to heal before ramping back up after the All-Star break. The move was retroactive to July 4, which makes his first eligible date to return as the 19th, the first day that the Rangers will play after the Midsummer Classic.
In his place, Texas activated Josh Sborz from the IL with a similar ailment. His rehab outings in Round Rock hadn’t produced great results, but Sborz, who recorded the last out of the World Series last fall, has been effective at the Major League level this year. Sborz gives Bochy a fresh arm to use in the mid-to-late innings.
Momentum sustained?
Coming off the shutout victory, prior trends from this season would suggest that the Rangers would have troubles stringing together hits or getting the big hit to help them score the runs needed to earn a winning streak. However, on Saturday, Texas enjoyed a rare comeback moment.
The Rangers secured a 2-0 lead that lasted until the late innings to put starter Andrew Heaney in line for the win. Latz entered in the seventh inning and struggled with command before giving up a three-run homer after recently returned righty Josh Sborz put men on the bases. Suddenly Texas trailed 3-2 with only three frames left to overcome the deficit, in a season where they haven’t scored much off opposing bullpens.
But All-Star selection Marcus Semien provided a shot in the arm for the Rangers’ offense and crushed a two-run homer to put Texas back on top to put the game in the hands of the rock solid backend of the bullpen.
That momentum would continue into the finale, as the Rangers battered Tampa Bay for 19 hits and 13 runs.
Breaking out
If June was the breakout month for Wyatt Langford, July might be the month for Jonah Heim to regain some of the offensive prowess that the catcher exhibited last season. The finale of the series against Tampa Bay could be seen as a turning point for Heim.
Heim, whose offensive drought has been a measurable part of the Rangers’ total offensive woes, finished the month of June with a .186/.260/.285 slash line. The Rangers’ catcher, who will not be part of the All-Star game like he was last year, has had a considerably more successful July – in six games so far, Heim has a .429/.409/.714 slash line, including the 4-for-5 finale with a home run, a double, two RBI, and three runs scored.
Heim, though, is not the only Ranger who has been enjoying a prolific July. Center fielder Leody Taveras has at least a hit in every game played this month, totaling ten in six games. Nathaniel Lowe ended up with a hit, two runs scored and a walk and has been on base in every game this month. Corey Seager and Langford are continuing their runs from June into July. Seager has a .421/.450/.789 slash and Langford has been on base in every game with a .381/.480/.476 slash in July.
Texas had all of the horses pulling the same direction in this series and saw some good luck come their way on some key plays. They looked like a cohesive unit in each game and showed a glimpse of the team that we all know they’re capable of being.
In doing so, they locked down their third series sweep of the season. This one has a different feel than the previous sweeps. Between the comeback victory on Saturday, and the offensive barrage in the finale, it feels like Texas might be building some sustained success.
But the key will be to keep it going as they head to the West Coast to take on the division rival Los Angeles Angels to begin their final road trip of the first half.
Do you think the Rangers have turned a corner with a week to go until the All-Star break? Share your thoughts with Matt on Twitter @FisherWritesMLB.
