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The Rangers took seemingly weeks of frustration at the plate out on Jered Weaver and that's perfectly fine with me. Texas had 11 runs on nine hits, seven walks, and three home runs. And hey, they only struck out eight times as a team! Progress!
The dingers for Texas came off the bats of Ryan Rua, Joey Gallo, and Robinson Chirinos. Every member of the lineup reached base at least once, even pitcher A.J. Griffin, who reached via a walk!
The Rangers looked like the teams playing the Rangers of late and the Padres looked like the Rangers of recent days. It's a dang topsy turvy world, this sport of baseball.
Player of the Game: Griffin used his run support magic to give himself five runs before he ever took the mound and then used that cushion to start pushin'. Griffin finished with an easy, breezy complete game shutout, the Rangers first since 2015. Griffin completed the game on just 104 pitches and gave up just four hits.
With the bullpen in tatters, having no need to get anyone up or bring anyone in is a big bonus for the Rangers today. The members of the bullpen should buy Griffin the biggest (low sodium, gout-resistant) steak tonight.
Up Next: The Rangers and Padres travel to Arlington to play two more games. Yu Darvish will pitch for the Rangers against RHP Luis Perdomo. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.