Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe strikes out against the Mets (catcher Omar Narvaez pictured) on August 30, 2023. Photo by Adam Hunger via AP
In one of the more shocking blown leads in baseball recently, both game-wise and division-wise, the Texas Rangers have blown another save. This time, it occurred via a walk-off hit-by-pitch.
In the series finale against the New York Mets, the Rangers fell behind 3-1 before taking a 5-3 lead in the top of the eighth inning. However, that lead would be blown in the bottom of the inning when the Mets would tie the game at 5. Then, heading into the tenth inning, everybody’s favorite closer Aroldis Chapman stepped onto the mound.
Walk-Off Hit-by-Pitch
Chapman, sweat beating off his head and dripping down to the mound, would go on to walk catcher Francisco Alvarez. Then, on the first pitch to DJ Stewart, with the bases loaded, he nailed him square in the back to drive home the winning run. The Mets would go on to win the game via a walk-off hit-by-pitch, and the Rangers would lose their 10th game in their last 13.
The Rangers’ commanding AL West lead, which they had held for most of the season, has evaporated. The Mariners overtook them for first place recently, but with last night’s loss, the rival Astros have now usurped second place. The Rangers, with a still-good 75-58 record, now sit in third place, one game behind the Astros for the third Wild Card spot.
Skidding Rangers
The Rangers have not won a series finale since August 6th, and have only won two series all month. They have 26 blown saves this season, tied for the most in the American League. Just a few days ago, they ended an eight-game skid where the Astros did not play so well either. With the Astros’ struggles, it was an opportunity for the Rangers to put the division race away for good and take a commanding lead, but they somehow played worse.
Despite the struggles, the division race is not over by any means. With the Mariners and Astros essentially tied for first place, but the Mariners owning the tiebreaker, the Rangers are only one game out of first place. The playoff hunt has certainly been wild, and only expect it to ramp up through September.
