The Texas Rangers are heading to the American League Championship Series after completing a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with an 11-8 victory on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field. The Rangers will face the winner of the Houston Astros-Minnesota Twins series, which the Astros lead 2-1.
Rangers offense erupts in second inning
The Rangers wasted no time in jumping on Orioles starter Dean Kremer, who was making his postseason debut. After scoring a run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Corey Seager, the Rangers exploded for six runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double by Mitch Garver and a three-run homer by Adolis García. García’s blast was his third of the postseason and he celebrated with a perfect bat flip. The Rangers chased Kremer after just 1 2/3 innings, as he allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks.
Orioles rally but fall short
The Orioles did not go down without a fight, as they scored four runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 7-4. Cedric Mullins hit a solo homer, Trey Mancini drove in two runs with a double, and Ryan Mountcastle added an RBI single. The Orioles added another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Austin Hays, but the Rangers responded with two runs in the bottom half on a solo homer by Joey Gallo and an RBI single by Nick Solak.
The Orioles made it interesting in the ninth inning, scoring three runs off Rangers closer Ian Kennedy. DJ Stewart hit a two-run homer and Mountcastle drove in his second run with a double. However, Kennedy struck out Pedro Severino to end the game and seal the series for the Rangers.
Eovaldi earns second win of postseason
Nathan Eovaldi was not as dominant as he was in his first start of the postseason against the Tampa Bay Rays, but he did enough to earn his second win. The right-hander pitched five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six. He threw 94 pitches, 64 for strikes.
Eovaldi improved his career postseason record to 6-1 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 games (nine starts). He has won his last five postseason starts, dating back to 2018 with the Boston Red Sox.
What’s next?
The Rangers will have some time to rest and prepare for their next opponent, as they await the outcome of the Astros-Twins series. The Astros will try to close out the series on Wednesday at Target Field, while the Twins will try to force a decisive Game 5. The ALCS is scheduled to begin on Saturday at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
The Orioles will head into the offseason with some questions to answer, as they failed to advance past the ALDS for the second consecutive year. They will have to decide whether to keep manager Brandon Hyde, who led them to two straight AL East titles but also two disappointing postseason exits. They will also have to address their pitching staff, which struggled mightily against the Rangers’ potent lineup.
