For the Baltimore Orioles, the next game is do-or-die. They are quickly on the verge of being eliminated from the postseason. In game two of this ALDS round, the Texas Rangers rose to the occasion, stomping on the O’s in Baltimore 11-8. This simply proves that the bye given to you if you clinch the first or second seed does not always matter. Baltimore has not taken the upper hand even with home-field advantage.
The Rangers need only one more win to advance to the American League Championship Series. Texas now has a huge advantage, playing game three and, if necessary, game four on their home field. If the Rangers win game three on Tuesday night, they’ll advance to play either the Houston Astros or Minnesota Twins. Let’s look into what happened during game two of the ALDS, and who’s been key for the Rangers.
Rangers Cruise to an ALDS Game Two Win
Texas struck early and often, scoring nine of their eleven runs in the first three innings. Baltimore would get on the board first, but their lead wouldn’t last for long. O’s right fielder Aaron Hicks started things off by ripping a two-run double into right field in the first. Next inning, Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras tied the game up at two apiece by hitting a two-run double into the left-center gap. Then Texas’ designated hitter Mitch Garver gave his team the lead by hitting an RBI single The very next batter, right fielder Adolis García, hit an RBI single to no man’s land in center field. The Rangers capped their five-run second inning when first baseman Jonah Heim slapped an RBI single to left center field.
After Garver’s go-ahead hit in the second, he would continue his clutchness an inning later. In the top of the third, he crushed a grand slam. This gave the Rangers a 9-2 lead very early in the ballgame. Baltimore answered a bit in the bottom of the fourth inning. O’s shortstop Jorge Mateo hit an RBI single to center field. Then, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle drove one in on a sac fly to right, making the score 9-4. Taveras walked during the top of the fifth inning and later came around to score on a groundout. During the next half inning, O’s third baseman Gunnar Henderson smashed a solo home run, cutting the Rangers’ lead to 10-5.
Mitch Garver is GRAND! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/m2OXlIpl6P
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2023
Next, during the top of the ninth, Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien grounded out, but drove in a run in the process. Baltimore started a last-ditch rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, culminating with Aaron Hicks crushing a three-run home run to right center field. Although the O’s tried to make a comeback, it just was not enough. If the Rangers can win on either Tuesday or Thursday night at home in Texas, they’ll advance to their first ALCS since 2011.
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Key Players in the Series Thus Far
Last series, Jonah Heim’s play was insignificant, as against the Tampa Bay Rays, he went 2-for-8. Even with his numbers averaging around the same when they played Tampa Bay, Heim has been much more clutch in this series. In the ALDS, he is 2-for-9 and has driven in two runs. In game one, Heim’s RBI single gave his team a 2-0 lead. The Rangers went on to win game one 3-2. On Tuesday, if Heim can play a role in another scoring opportunity, it could be a moment the Rangers franchise never forgets.
We talked about how vital Corey Seager‘s bat is for the Texas Rangers. In his five at-bats against the Orioles last night, Seager walked five times. It’s plain to see that the O’s starters and bullpen are scared of what Seager could do at the plate. During this series against the O’s, he has now been walked seven times out of ten plate appearances. After Texas has scored 14 runs in two games, look for Seager and the Rangers to be hungry to close this ALDS matchup on Tuesday.
One guy from the Orioles who’s been a significant presence in this series is Ryan Mountcastle. The O’s first baseman has gone 2-for-8 with two RBI during the first two games in Baltimore. While some guys in the lineup pull out a clutch moment from time to time, Mountcastle has been there consistently for the Orioles. His heroics might need to continue to keep Baltimore afloat in the series.
Photo Credit: © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
