All-Stars Power Texas Rangers Back Into Win Column
The Texas Rangers sent six players to the All-Star festivities in Seattle back in July.
For the first time in a long time, those six All-Stars were on the field together Tuesday night.
Maybe it’s no coincidence the Rangers won.
“It’s always good to get your guys back,” manager Bruce Bochy said after the 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox. “We’re getting down to the end here, so the timing is good that we are getting them healthy. I don’t know what's going to happen, but at least you want your guys out there. And that’s what we have right now, so that’s a good thing.”
So is snapping a four-game losing streak with less than two weeks left in the regular season. The Rangers (83-68) gained ground on the Houston Astros (84-68) in the American League West with the victory, while remaining tied with the Seattle Mariners (83-68) for the third Wild Card.
Adolis Garcia homered in his second game back from injury Tuesday night.
For the second game of the Boston series, Bochy started his All-Stars – pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, catcher Jonah Heim, shortstop Corey Seager, third baseman Josh Jung, second baseman Marcus Semien and right fielder Adolis García.
The last time that happened was July 18. All but Semien have missed significant time this season with injuries. Jung and García just returned to the lineup Monday, which Bochy admitted was quicker than expected.
The All-Stars all played a role Tuesday. Eovaldi, still building up his pitch count, gutted his way through five innings. García homered for the first time since Sept. 3 and scored twice. Heim had two hits and two RBI. Jung drove in a run. Seager and Semien each had a hit and scored.
“It just shows you when we're all completely healthy, how deep our lineup is,” Heim said. “It’s pretty special.”
Having familiar faces back in place, regardless of where, gives the Rangers something to build on. García and Heim hit sixth and seventh, respectively, in the order Tuesday, which is lower that where they’ve usually been slotted this season, but it’s been a juggling act for Bochy as players have returned this month.
With a postseason spot at stake, at least the Rangers appear whole. That’s all they can ask for.
“We’re still trying to find our stride because we’re all kinda coming back in weird spots,” Jung said. “Finally getting our legit lineup that did all those crazy things in the first half back, especially down the stretch here.”
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