After two days without baseball, it was now time for the divisional series across the MLB. To get the ball rolling this afternoon, we were treated to a duel between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles. It was at their home that this match #1 took place.
The first pitch was initially scheduled for 1 p.m., but just like in Quebec since yesterday, the rain took its toll in Baltimore. So it was around 2:15 p.m. that we were finally able to get our teeth into things, and Adam Jones came to grin the crowd for the occasion.
Joan Jett also came to take her turn. Clearly, in Baltimore, we pulled out all the stops.
During the first three innings of the game, both starting pitchers responded. Kyle Bradish did a good job for the home side, while his counterpart Andrew Heaney was also solid.
In the fourth round, on the other hand, we finally got a bit of offense. It was the visitors who were the first to register, while young Evan Carter continued his good momentum with a double which produced a run.
And while Carter got the ball rolling, Jonah Heim made sure to allow him to cross the plate a few minutes later.
Suddenly, the Rangers were leading 2-0.
That said, it was poor knowledge of the Orioles to think that they would to crash with a deficit of two points. A half inning later, Ryan Mountcastle came up to bat with a runner on the trails.
And the man who made a name for himself as the Jays’ kryptonite hit a double to put his team on the scoreboard.
We then had a quieter fifth inning, but in the sixth, the offense picked up again.
First, Josh Jung spoiled himself with a bomb to center field. After Carter, another rookie pulled out all the stops for the Rangers.
But once again, the Orioles showed character to reduce the deficit. After scoring his team’s first point, Anthony Santander decided to double the pleasure, this time by producing his own point.
A long solo slap from him once again brought the two clubs to a point difference.
The Rangers then tried to fight back in the next inning, but Austin Hays had other plans. The outfielder made a magnificent run to left field to deprive Jonah Heim of a second hit.
And clearly, it made people in the stands happy.
Both the Orioles and the Rangers, we saw a ton of relievers being used during the game. In the eighth inning, for example, Aroldis Chapman came on in relief.
He allowed two consecutive walks… but a big double play as well as a strikeout on three strikes ensured that he avoided the worst. He has the gift of making things interesting in series.
In the ninth, the Rangers had a one-point lead and it was gunner Jose Leclerc who had the task of closing the books.
Quickly, Gunnar Henderson found himself on first base, but he was pinched while trying to steal second base.
A strikeout and a groundout to third base later, the Rangers won by a score of 3-2.
Great play from Josh Jung there, who finally made the victorious relay in addition to scoring the winning point.
The two clubs will return to action tomorrow afternoon, when they will cross swords at 4:07 p.m. For the occasion, Jordan Montgomery and Grayson Rodriguez will be the starting pitchers.
Will the Rangers be able to push the Orioles to the wire? Response in just over 24 hours.
