Thoughts on a 5-4 Rangers win

Rangers 5, Tigers 4

• That’s two straight 5-4 wins over the Tigers, if you are keeping track at home.
• It was another rough outing for Rangers starter Adrian Sampson. Sampson allowed 4 runs in 4.2 IP, but it could have been much worse. Sampson allowed 7 hits and 4 walks, striking out just 2 batters, and since the start of July has allowed 27 runs in 24.1 IP. Brock Burke pitches well yesterday, Kolby Allard pitched well today, Joe Palumbo should be healthy soon, and as a result, we may not be seeing Sampson in the rotation much longer.
• Fortunately, the bullpen was magnificent tonight. Taylor Guerrieri threw 1.1 IP, allowing a hit and a walk, Brett Martin threw 2 IP, allowing just a walk, and Jesse Chavez and Jose Leclerc each pitched a clean inning. Leclerc bouncing back after yesterday’s difficult ninth was especially encouraging, although with both he and Chavez having pitched two nights in a row, one has to think they likely are unavailable tomorrow.
• Texas first got on the board in the third, courtesy of the newly called up combo of Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jose Trevino. IKF doubled and then was singled home by Trevino, and Delino DeShields then walked. Alas, the next three batters fanned, ending the rally.
• Willie Calhoun homered in the fourth to tie up the game at 2-2, and then Texas was held scoreless until the seventh. Trevino led off the inning reaching on an error, and then DeShields doubled. After a Danny Santana ground out advanced him to third, Delino scored on an Elvis Andrus sac fly.
• Elvis was almost the hero in the 9th. With Shin-Soo Choo at second and two out, Elvis hit a line drive that appeared destined to be a game winning hit...only to have it snagged out of the air by Niko Goodrum for the third out.
• Of course, that simply set the stage for Rouged Odor, who had a walk, an HBP and a single in the game, to walk it off on a dramatic 10th inning home run.
• Elvis also had a two hit night, picking up a single and a double.
• Now Texas goes for the sweep tomorrow, with Pedro Payano on the mound. Go Rangers!