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Thoughts on a 5-3 Rangers win

Rangers 5, Tigers 3

By Adam J. Morris
Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Rangers 5, Tigers 3

  • The second half of the season has not been kind to Yovani Gallardo.  On July 2, he went 6 shutout innings in Baltimore, his fourth straight outing without allowing a run, and lowered his ERA on the year to 2.56.  In eight starts since then (coming into tonight), he had gone 6 IP just once, and had a 5.44 ERA in 41.1 IP.  He's gone from being the Rangers' #1 starter to a guy who might get left out of a 4 man playoff rotation.
  • But then tonight, against the Tigers, Gallardo pitched like the guy who was an All Star candidate in the first half of the season.  6 IP (plus one batter), 0 runs, just 1 walk against 4 Ks and 8 hits.  It was a very solid outing for Gallardo against a very potent offense.
  • Gallardo went out to start the 7th and allowed a bloop single, prompting Jeff Banister to give him the hook at 98 pitches and turn to Jake Diekman.  Diekman threw 11 out of 15 pitches for strikes while going 1-2-3 and fanning a batter.
  • Sam Dyson made short work of the Tigers in the 8th, and with a five run lead, was allowed to start the 9th.  After allowing a pair of infield singles, though -- a very weak roller down third that Adrian Beltre gave a chance to roll foul, and a chopper back up the middle that would have been an easy force at second if the runner hadn't been allowed to go to second on fielder's indifference -- Dyson got the hook and Shawn Tolleson came into the game with two out and two on.  Ian Kinsler got that momentum-shifting two-out, three-run homer on the first pitch Tolleson threw, but Tyler Collins then fanned to end the game.  Still, Sam Dyson's ERA got all blown up unfairly, I think.
  • Rougned Odor, incidentally, made what looked like was going to be an incredible highlight play on a sharply hit Victor Martinez ball that went into right field.  Odor, playing in shallow right as part of the shift, ranged near the foul line to field it, spin and throw to Gallardo covering first base.  Alas, the throw went wide, or else you'd be seeing that play on highlight reels for quite some time.
  • The Rangers put four on the board against just-acquired starter Randy Wolf in the third, on five straight singles and a groundout, then the offense pretty much went into hibernation until Rougie homered in the top of the 9th.  In the final six innings, other than the Odor home run, the only Ranger baserunner was via an Adrian Beltre single.
  • Every starter except Bobby Wilson and Ryan Strausborger picked up hits.  Beltre had a three hit night, and Odor had a pair of hits.
  • Texas is now tied with the Angels for 2nd place in the A.L. West, and the 2nd wild card spot.  If the Angels lose tonight against Toronto, the Rangers will be in sole possession of the 2nd wild card spot.
  • Go Jays!
  • Oh, and I almost forgot...our favorite beat writer was making friends in the press box: