Baltimore, MD – The Texas Rangers secured a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series (ALDS) after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 11-8 on Sunday in a thrilling contest. With their fourth consecutive postseason win, the Rangers are in a commanding position as they head back home to host Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Mitch Garver played a pivotal role for Texas, hitting a grand slam and contributing an RBI single in his first appearance of this postseason. Josh Jung had a double and a single, scoring twice, while Leody Taveras added a two-run double and crossed the plate three times for the Rangers.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Aaron Hicks provided a late spark for the Orioles with a three-run homer off Jose Leclerc, narrowing the gap to 11-8. Hicks finished the game with five RBIs.
Under the guidance of first-year manager Bruce Bochy, the Rangers are now on the verge of reaching their first American League Championship Series since 2011. On the other hand, the top-seeded Orioles, who enjoyed a remarkable regular season and remained unbeaten in series throughout, are now facing elimination.
Baltimore’s pitching staff struggled in this game, conceding 11 hits and issuing 11 walks, leading to six runs. Corey Seager notably walked five times, setting an MLB postseason record, and scored twice.
Despite the challenging situation, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back, emphasizing their strong performance on the road throughout the season.
Baltimore had 16 winning streaks of at least three games during the regular season, showcasing their resilience.
The game featured several noteworthy performances, including rookie Gunnar Henderson’s home run and single, as well as Jorge Mateo’s four hits for the Orioles. Cody Bradford, a rookie, played a crucial role for the Rangers, delivering 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and earning the win (1-0).
While the Orioles hope to regroup and turn things around in Texas, the Rangers look to maintain their momentum and inch closer to a postseason milestone.
