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Rangers Use Five-Run Eighth to Down Angels 8-3
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- Rangers Use Five-Run Eighth to Down Angels 8-3
(© Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images)
ARLINGTON, Texas -- With the game tied at three heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Texas Rangers would need some late-inning offense to get past the Los Angeles Angels.
To say they got some would be an understatement.
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The Rangers scored five runs in the eighth inning to claim an 8-3 series-opening win over the Angels. With the win, the Rangers jumped back over .500 at 46-45 on the season.
Alejandro Osuna came up with the big swing of both the eighth and the night as he blasted a three-run home run off Los Angeles reliever Sam Bachman to put the game away.
Prior to the Osuna home run, both Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue came through with RBI singles to start the scoring of the inning and help the Rangers gain and add on to their first lead of the night.
"I thought some of the balls just kind of snuck through," Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said in regard to the eighth inning.
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"There's just value in putting the ball in play, and I think Osuna caught one late as well, putting the ball in play early in the count and with two strikes… up and down the lineup having really good at-bats," Schumaker said.
The Rangers' eighth-inning offensive explosion was set up in part by a game-tying, pinch-hit home run from Foscue in the seventh. It was the first career pinch-hit home run for the Rangers' 2020 first-round pick.
"Pinch-hitting is the hardest thing to do as a hitter in this game," Schumaker said when talking about Foscue's home run.
"Justin has been huge for us against left-handers all year long, and that was one of the biggest hits of his young career so far," Schumaker finished.
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Tuesday night marked just the third time this season in which the Rangers have claimed a victory when trailing after the top of the seventh.
Once again, it was an early deficit for the Rangers as starter Jacob deGrom allowed a pair of first-inning runs.
deGrom was, however, able to settle in and just allow those two runs in five innings of work. After the game, the Rangers ace said he was battling a leg/hip injury that is somewhat common for him but usually goes away in between starts.
"I think I'll be fine," deGrom said after the game. 'I think we'll manage it.. I think we'll stay on top of it this week and I'll be good to go."
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