the 10th-inning two-run single by Brad Miller lifted the Texas Rangers over the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1.
For the first time this season, the Rangers have won four games in a row after a two-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Philadelphia’s Nick Castellanos got a double and three hits. Since a four-game winning run, the Phillies have dropped four of their last five games.
Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler and the Rangers’ Martin Perez were excellent starters for their respective teams. When Matt Bush (1-1) got the final out in the ninth inning, he was awarded the victory.
Adolis Garcia, the extra-innings starting second baseman for Texas, advanced to third on Kole Calhoun’s deep right field flyout. Pinch-runner Eli White stole second after Mitch Garver had walked. Miller drove in Garcia and White with a 1-0 slider from Brad Hand (1-1) after pinch-hitter Nick Solak struck out.
Chris Woodward, Rangers manager, said of Miller, “He’s so gritty and gutsy you know you were going to get something out of him there.”
In the bottom of the 10th, Odubel Herrera’s pinch-hit RBI groundout gave Joe Barlow his third save in as many chances.
In the sixth inning, when Castellanos lined Perez’s first pitch to right, the Phillies appeared to have gotten on the board. As first-base umpire Erich Bacchus called it, but after reviewing video footage showing that a fan had reached over the railing and grabbed the ball while it was still in play, his decision was overturned.
Bryce Harper’s flyout to left field ended the inning for Castellanos, who went to second base instead.
There were only six hits in total for the Phillies.
There are “some players who aren’t really clicking the way I believe they’re going to throughout the season,” Philadelphia manager Joe Girardi said. It’s critical that we figure out a method to help a few of our members who are currently suffering.
Starters who stand out
Wheeler’s ERA dropped to 4.10 as he pitched seven and two-thirds innings and allowed six hits while striking out seven. In the eighth inning, with two outs and 78 pitches left, Girardi was booed when he removed the National League Cy Young Award runner-up from last year.
After the game, Girardi observed, “He was pretty terrific today.”
In Wheeler’s words, Girardi was simply watching out for him, since he knew the hook.
There were four hits and four walks for Perez in his seven innings of work. Left-hander, 31, with an ERA of 2.25.
Woodward described Perez as a “absolute fighter.”
The following steps are in order:
On Friday night, the Rangers open a three-game series against the Yankees in New York. The Yankees will send out RHP Gerrit Cole to face Texas RHP Glenn Otto (1-0, 2.89). (2-0, 3.00).