76-83 - Minor gets his milestone in Rangers’ 7-5 finale win over Boston

Mike Minor came into today’s game looking for three milestones:

1. Sitting at 199 ²⁄₃ innings pitched, to collect one out and reach 200 innings in his first unrestrained season back in a rotation since returning to the mound as a starter after several years battling injuries, pitching out of bullpens, and being saddled with innings limits.

2. To pitch at least 5 ¹⁄₃ innings to top his career high of 204 ²⁄₃ innings pitched with the Braves in 2013.

3. To K at least nine Red Sox so he could finish the season with a career high 200 strikeouts.

Mike Minor pitched 8 ²⁄₃ innings today and struck out nine Red Sox. Check mark. Check mark. Check mark.

Also, the Rangers hit three home runs and scored seven runs total in support of Minor allowing him to pick up his career-high 14th win in a wildly successful season for the All-Star lefty. The victory also allowed the Rangers to avoid a sweep by the Red Sox in their penultimate series at The Ballpark.

Player of the Game: Danny Santana capped off his incredible season with a grand slam but it’s hard to go against Minor today as he pitched a real 1970s-style gem where pitch limits were tossed out the window in his search for 200 Ks with nothing but the offseason ahead of him. It took 126 pitches today but Minor finishes the year with 208 1/3 innings pitched and exactly 200 Ks.

200 IP and 200 Ks are some fancy round numbers shared by both Minor and teammate Lance Lynn. It’s only the second time in franchise history that two Rangers have reached those totals in the same season. Bobby Witt and Nolan Ryan also accomplished the feat in 1990.

Up Next: The Texas Rangers welcome the New York Yankees to Arlington to close out their 2019 season and say goodbye to The Ballpark. In Friday’s opener, LHP Joe Palumbo will make the start for the Rangers against LHP James Paxton for the Yankees. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.