71-73 - First inning outburst sends Rangers to 9-4 win over O’s

Everybody likes to dump on Rougned Odor these days but tonight he was the best player on the field with a big three-hit, three-RBI game. It’s the kind of performance the Rangers know Rougie is capable of having but he’s just not been able to consistently provide over the last few seasons.

On the mound, Jonathan Hernandez was shaky in his “start” to open a bullpen game. Hernandez’s command wasn’t there to begin the night but he settled in to give the Rangers 2 ²⁄₃ innings. Hernandez ultimately allowed three runs but only one was earned.

Relieving Hernandez was Yohander Mendez making his 2019 debut after rehabbing for the vast majority of the season. Mendez ended up looking good as he struck out a career high six in his 2 ¹⁄₃ innings of relief work. Jeffrey Springs, Adrian Sampson, Shawn Kelley, and Edinson Volquez formed the quartet who pitched an inning each to get Texas through the victory.

But the story of the night was the Rangers scoring six first inning runs in route to a 9-4 win to give them three straight against the Orioles in this series and a chance for a four-game sweep of Baltimore tomorrow afternoon.

Player of the Game: The much maligned Odor went 3-for-4 with two of the Rangers’ three extra base hits including a three run homer that gave the Rangers their insurmountable 6-0 lead before the Rangers had even recorded an out at the plate.

Up Next: The Rangers will close out this series against the Orioles with LHP Mike Minor set to make the starter against RHP Asher Wojciechowski. First pitch in Sunday’s finale from Camden Yards is scheduled for 12:05 pm CT.