Texas Rangers Bats Come Alive To Blow Past Guardians

The Texas Rangers collected 17 hits, including five during a five-run seventh inning to beat the Cleveland Guardians Friday.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas – For much of Friday night, the Texas Rangers had a familiar sluggishness about them.

But any hangover from a rough end to the first half was overcome in a flash.

The Rangers scored five runs in the seventh inning to rally past the Cleveland Guardians for a 12-4 win at Globe Life Field.

Corey Seager, Adolis Garcia, and Jonah Heim each homered during a four-run eighth. Seager has 13 homers, Garcia has 24, and Heim has 13.

It's Seager's 150th career homer and 500th career RBI. 

The Guardians (45-46) hit two, two-run home runs in the third inning. Brothers Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor became the first brothers to hit homers in the same innings for the same team since B.J. and Justin Upton homered for the Atlanta Braves in April 2013.

The Rangers (53-39) send left-hander Andrew Heaney to face right-hander Gavin Williams in Game 2 at 3:05 p.m. Saturday. 

Guardians 4, Rangers 1

Notables from Friday's game between the Rangers and Guardians.

Hit Parade Continues

The Rangers collected 17 hits Friday. It's the 50th game with 10 or more hits this season. They had 49 such games the entire 2022 season and 42 in 2021. The Rangers have 14 or more hits in 11 games and 17 or more hits in five games in 2023.

Jon Gray Works Through It

Despite allowing two, two-run homers in the third inning, starter Jon Gray was able to pitch through it and give the Rangers six innings. After the four-run third, Gray retired nine of the last 11 batters he faced.
He was charged with four runs on five hits and three walks in six innings. Brock Burke replaced him to start the seventh. Gray has allowed 13 earned runs in his past 18 innings (three starts).

High Time For Lowe 

The Rangers' first baseman Nathaniel Lowe reached base in each of his five plate appearances, including a solo home run in the fourth. It's his 10th homer. He also had an infield single in the first and a walk in the sixth. He singled to left in the seventh as part of Texas' five-run inning and doubles ahead of Adolis Garcia's homer in the eighth.


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Stefan Stevenson
STEFAN STEVENSON

Stefan Stevenson worked as a journalist and editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for 25 years, covering sports, concerts, and general news. His beats have included the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and Texas Christian University football.