Gallen Loses Streak, D-backs Lose Game

The Rangers win the bullpen battle in a 6-4 victory over Arizona

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The Texas Rangers came back against Zac Gallen and the Diamondbacks bullpen tonight, turning a 4-1 deficit into a 6-4 victory. 

The game started well for Arizona, when Ketel Marte homered with one out in the top of the first off of Rangers starters Jon Gray. It was Marte's second career homer off Gray and traveled 405 feet into the right field bleachers.  After a walk and a single, newcomer Dominic Fletcher knocked a ground ball through the hole into left to spot Gallen a 2-0 lead.

Note: Batting left handed. 2nd career homer against Jon Gray for Ketel

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— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) May 3, 2023

Three batters into his outing, Gallen's 28 inning scoreless streak was over thanks to a double by Marcus Semien and an RBI single by Nathaniel Lowe.  Gallen gave up a one out double in the bottom of the second inning, but then retired eight straight, and had five strikeouts through four innings. 

The offense continued to work meanwhile. Marte had his second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly scoring Geraldo Perdomo who had singled on a high chopper earlier in the inning.  Christian Walker led off the third inning with a solo homer, his fifth of the year.  With a 4-1 lead and their ace seemingly in command, the Diamondbacks seemed in control of the game. And then they weren't. 

Gallen gave up singles to four of the first five batters he faced in the fifth inning, allowing two runs, before getting out of the inning with a 4-6-3 double play.  Semien and Travis Jankowski had the RBI knocks.  He left the game with a 4-3 lead and in line for the win, but ended up with a no-decision. Gallen's final line was 5 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. 

Scott McGough relieved Gallen in the sixth and gave up a two out, two-run, go ahead homer to Ezequiel Duran giving the Rangers a 5-4 lead. McGough eventually took the loss.  The pitch to Duran was a middle middle fastball. It was the fourth home run allowed by McGough in 14.2 innings pitched It's the third time he's taken the loss, and his ERA is now 4.91.  The Rangers got an insurance run in the 7th thanks to some wildness from relievers Kyle Nelson and Kevin Ginkel.  Nelson gave up a base hit and a walk. He was removed after a sac bunt and strikeout in favor of Ginkel, who issued a walk and uncorked a wild pitch allowing the runner on third to score before getting the final out of the inning. 

Gray lasted 5.1 innings despite giving up eight hits and the four runs. The Rangers bullpen shut down the Diamondbacks after the Walker home run. From that point until the end of the eighth the D-backs managed just two singles and two walks.  They threatened in the ninth against closer Will Smith however. Perdomo led off with a base hit. Evan Longoria flew out deep to the track in left and then Ketel Marte walked to put the tying run on base, but Emmanuel Rivera flew out to left as well and Walker popped out ending the threat and the game. 

The D-backs fall to 16-14 and have lost two in a row.  The Rangers improve to 18-11, and remain in first place in the AL West. The two teams will conclude the short two game series tomorrow at 11:05 MST. As reported earlier by Michael McDermott, top pitching prospect Brandon Pfaadt will make his major league debut.  Andrew Heaney will start for the Rangers.