The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the Miami Marlins scored three runs.
The Rangers started a ten-game, three-series road trip in the middle of a stretch of 15 games in 15 days that will take them through June and beyond during their final road trip of the season’s first half. They did not, however, have a starting pitcher.
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Instead Texas opted for an opener with Tyler Alexander pitching the perpetually terrifying first inning. The lefty reliever Alexander tossed a scoreless first frame to pave the way for bulk pitcher Kumar Rocker. This was the second time that the Rangers have elected to have Rocker come in after an inning for one of his outings.
If you recall, the last time they went down this avenue with Rocker, he responded with arguably his best appearances in the big leagues. Just over a month ago back on May 19, Rocker entered following an Alexander scoreless inning in Colorado and proceeded to shut the Rockies out over 7.2 innings.
Then the Rangers went back to using Rocker as a traditional starter for the next month where he has gone winless while sporting a 6.92 ERA during the month of June. Tonight, Rocker was equipped with the elusive F U slider that made him look like a potential MORP during his ascension in the minor leagues in 2024.
Though he didn’t have the same length or leash as his tandem effort in Colorado, Rocker went five innings and allowed two runs on five hits with zero walks and nine strikeouts on just 76 pitches. Six of those strikeouts came via a swing and a miss on a slider.
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Rocker left in a 2-2 game as the Rangers opened the scoring with a fourth inning via a two-run home run off the bat of Ezequiel Duran, but Miami got a run apiece in the fifth and sixth to even the score and prevent Rocker from being the pitcher of record.
Neither team scored after that until the Rangers were able to shake off a failed bases loaded opportunity the inning prior to plate a couple in the top of the eighth.
With the Ja(k)cobs Junis and Latz ready to be deployed with a two-run lead, it seemed like Texas was set up to cruise to a win but Junis let a couple reach so Skip Schumaker went to Latz for another four-out save but not before the Marlins scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to pull to within a run.
Latz made it through the ninth unscathed (though he needed 31 pitches tonight) as the Rangers started their road trip with a win to move to within two games of .500 again.
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Player of the Game: Duran’s homer was obviously key in a one-run win but he also threw out a runner at the plate on a fantastic relay throw. However, it’s hard to argue with Rocker’s bulk work even if he was only used for five innings.
Rocker has now allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts in 12.2 innings when used after an opener. Seems like something the Rangers should considering doing more often.
Up Next: The Rangers and Marlins will reconvene for the second game of this series tomorrow evening with a pitcher to be named (perhaps Jose Corniell?) for Texas opposite RHP Sandy Alcantara for Miami.
Tuesday’s first pitch from loanDepot park is once again scheduled for 5:40 pm CDT and will be telecast via the Rangers Sports Network.
