Arlington, TX. – Andrew Heaney took the mound for game 2 between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s got the best of the Rangers in game 1 despite Jon Gray pitching the best game of the season so far.
After being shutout in game 1 of the series, the Rangers looked to bounce back offensively from the one hit effort they put up. It did not start well for Heaney, as he gave up 5 runs over the first two innings, throwing 58 pitches to boot.
The offense looked flat as well, managing no hits in the first inning, but Adolis Garcia took one deep to start the second. Unfortunately, that was all the Rangers could muster but they got themselves on the board. Kyle Gibson only had to throw 23 total pitches through the first two innings.
It got worse as Heaney gave up another 2 run shot and the Orioles took a 7-1 lead. Enter Dane Dunning.
He settled things down for the Rangers, going the next 4 innings before being replaced by Taylor Hearn in the seventh. Nathaniel Lowe added a homer off of Gibson in the Sixth and the Rangers got within 5.
In the end the Rangers just couldn’t get any consistent offense going for the second night in a row. They had runners on base, but just couldn’t score them. They wound up with only two solo shots.
After the way the season started against the Phillies, I knew there would be a let down. Hopefully the Rangers can get back on track. Other than Heaney, the pitching has been good.
Kyle Gibson had a great start, only giving up the two homers. He went seven strong innings for the Orioles.
I don’t think Heaney is a bust after just one bad start, but it wasn’t good tonight. A season is not won or lost in game 5 of the season, and there is still a very long way to go.
The Rangers and Orioles go after it one more time tomorrow afternoon before the Rangers hit the road for a short trip to Chicago to take on the Cubs.
