In a high-scoring affair, the Texas Rangers emerged victorious against the Detroit Tigers with a 9-7 win on Thursday. Jonah Heim’s two-run homer, accompanied by solo shots from Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia, propelled the Rangers to clinch the series 3-1.
Contributing significantly to the Rangers’ offensive prowess, Semien showcased a standout performance with three hits and two runs scored. Despite a challenging major league debut for starter Jack Leiter, the Rangers found success with key contributions from their bullpen. Jose Leclerc secured the win in relief, while Kirby Yates notched his second save of the season.
On the Tigers’ side, Kerry Carpenter drove in two runs, complemented by Riley Greene’s two hits, two runs, and an RBI. However, the efforts fell short as starter Kenta Maeda struggled, conceding six runs (five earned) in just 2 2/3 innings. Shelby Miller absorbed the loss, surrendering an unearned run.
In another matchup, the Tampa Bay Rays managed to split their four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels with a 2-1 victory in St. Petersburg, Fla. Amed Rosario continued his impressive hitting streak, going 2-for-4 with a crucial triple in the first inning, contributing to the Rays’ offensive output. Ryan Pepiot delivered a stellar pitching performance, guiding the Rays to victory.
Despite a quiet outing for Angels’ star Mike Trout, who went 0-for-3 at the plate, the team showcased resilience, with Trout stealing two bases and scoring a run. Miguel Sano and Luis Rengifo contributed offensively, but the Angels fell short in their bid for a series win.
In other MLB action, the Cleveland Guardians secured a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the finale of their four-game series. Andres Gimenez led the charge with two hits and two RBIs, while Carlos Carrasco delivered a solid pitching performance to secure the win. The Red Sox’s efforts, highlighted by Jarren Duran’s two RBIs, weren’t enough to overcome the Guardians’ late surge.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants shut out the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 5-0 win in the opener of their four-game series. Logan Webb’s dominant pitching performance limited the Diamondbacks to just two hits, while Wilmer Flores’ pinch-hit two-run double in the eighth inning sealed the victory for the Giants.
Lastly, the game between the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs was postponed due to inclement weather, with a split doubleheader scheduled for Saturday to make up for the missed game.
