Thoughts on a 3-2 Rangers win

Rangers 3, A’s 2

• At least we have Lance Lynn.
• Lance Lynn didn’t have his good command tonight, fell behind early, and generally performed in a fairly mediocre fashion compared to what we have grown accustomed to from him. He also registered a quality start, giving up 2 runs in 6 IP, striking out 8 and walking 2. It just underscores the level of performance we have gotten used to from Lance Lynn.
• I would be remiss if I didn’t note that there’s a non-zero possibility that this was Lance Lynn’s final start as a Ranger. Lynn is slated to start again Saturday against the Dodgers, but with the trade deadline a week away and the Rangers seeming likely to be sellers, Lynn, under contract through 2021 and performing at a high level, could fetch a hefty return from any number of teams seeking starting pitching.
• Jonathan Hernandez pitched the seventh and part of the eighth, retiring five batters, three via strikeout, while allowing an infield hit and a walk. His ERA is down to 1.56, and he’s been a revelation this year.
• Rafael Montero fanned Stephen Piscotty to end the eighth, but got into trouble in the 9th. After a soft lead off single by Tony Kemp, Montero gave up a solid one out single to Marcus Simien, then walked Ramon Laureano to load the bases. Aides throughout the inning by a generous strike zone, however, Montero struck out Matt Olson, then got Matt Chapman to fly out for a routine, easy, no-sweat save.
• The Rangers did all their scoring in the first two innings. With one out in the first Nick Solak singled, Danny Santana doubled and Todd Frazier the singles them both home. In the second, Isiah Kiner-Falefa had an opposite field home run. That was it for the scoring, as neither team got on the board after the bottom of the second.
• Leody Taveras made his first major league start. He picked up a single, drew a walk, and showed off an impressive arm in the ninth inning when he held Tony Kemp at second on the Semien single. I suspect he will be getting a lot of playing time the rest of the way.
• Robinson Chirinos singled in his return to action. Rougned Odor also singled, though he had ugly strikeouts in his other two at bats and had a double clutch in a potential double play ball in the first, then made a poor throw that got past Danny Santana at first base, though it didn’t result in the batter advancing. He doesn’t look to be in a good place right now.
• Nick Solak had the hardest hit ball of the night for Texas, a 105.4 mph line out. Odor’s single was 102.2 off the bat, Robinson Chirinos had a 100.5 mph fly out, and IKF’s homer was 100.0.
• The nine hardest thrown pitches by either team were all sinkers by Jonathan Hernandez, who reached 98.9 mph, 98.8 mph and 98.6 mph on his fastest pitches. Lance Lynn topped out at 95.3.
• The losing streak is now over, thankfully. Now let’s see if they can clinch the series tomorrow.