Max Scherzer Can't Deliver in First Postseason Start for Texas Rangers

Texas righthander Max Scherzer lasts just four innings in the first playoff loss for the Rangers, as the Houston Astros closed the ALCS gap to 2-1.

 ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers had everything going for them heading into Game 3 of the American League Championship Series Wednesday night against the Houston Astros.

Texas was up 2-0 in the series, playing in front of the largest crowd in Globe Life Field history and had ace right-hander Max Scherzer healthy enough to make his first postseason start for the Rangers.

But the Scherzer the crowd hoped to see couldn’t deliver, and he was out after just four innings in the 8-5 loss at Globe Life Field.

“I made some mistakes, I get it,” said Scherzer, who was making his 28th career postseason appearance. “I got punished for it. There were some good things I did good as well.

“It’s tough to take a loss in the postseason anytime, but for me, I’m not going to sit here and beat myself down. I felt like I did some good things and made some good pitches. I’ve got to focus on that and move that forward.”

Scherzer, who hadn’t pitched in a game since Sept. 12 because of a strain in his throwing shoulder, started out good enough. He had a perfect eight-pitch first inning that included a strikeout.

He was one out from getting out of a shaky second inning unscathed, but Houston had other plans.

A bases-loaded wild pitch to No. 9 hitter Martin Maldonado scored the game’s first run. Maldonado then lined a two-run single to left for his first postseason RBI. He came into the game hitting .143 in the playoffs this year.

Rangers’ killer Jose Altuve homered off Scherzer to start the third and Mauricio Dubon’s single in the fourth pushed the lead to 5-0. His night was done after 63 pitches, five hits, four strikeouts and a walk.

Scherzer said he didn’t feel like his arm affected his performance and it felt fine after the outing. He felt like he could have pitched deeper into the game.

“They got to me,” Scherzer said. “There’s not any difference between the first and the fourth. I felt good. It’s just execution and mistakes.”

Texas catcher Jonah Heim echoed Scherzer’s sentiment. Heim said Scherzer was sharp in the bullpen, but wasn’t able to execute the key pitches when he need to in the game.

“He made a couple of mistakes and they got hit hard,” Heim said.

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