RECAP: Home Runs Propel Struggling Rangers Offense to Huge 4-2 Win

Good teams lose; it sounds contradictory, but the truth is every good team goes through slumps and losing streaks, and the Texas Rangers are in the midst of a major one right now.

Coming into play on Saturday, the team from the Lone Star State had lost two straight, five of six and seven of their last nine. Despite the struggle, the Rangers still held a three-and-a-half-game lead in the AL West coming into play, but if they want to keep it that way, things have to turn around fast.

On Saturday afternoon, the Rangers took on the Blue Jays in front of a sold-out crowd at Globe Life Field. Officially, 39,383 people packed the Globe on Saturday, marking the 4th sellout at a Rangers home game this season.

The Texas offense was looking for anything to break out of their slump, and they may have gotten it in the 3rd inning via back-to-back home runs from Josh Jung and Jonah Heim to put the Rangers in front 3-1.

Dane Dunning would get the start for the Rangers as he looked to continue his success at Globe Life Field this season, where he was 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA this season. At the end of the day, it was a very good start for the new dad, who will celebrate his first Father’s Day tomorrow, as he went six innings, giving up just two runs.

After the game, Bruce Bochy said:

“The story was Dane Dunning, good bounce back by him; he threw the ball well tonight, a lot of strikes.”

The Rangers would fall behind on the scoreboard before they even touched the bat rack today as three first-inning singles and a double would put Toronto up 1-0.

However, what was bad could have been worse had Adolis Garcia not absolutely gunned down Vladimir Guerrero Jr. trying to score at home plate. For El Bombi, it was his MLB-leading 10th outfield assist this season.

When speaking about the throw after the game, Rangers starter Dane Dunning said:

“It was great, especially because in the first inning, I felt like I was throwing good quality pitches, and they were just putting good swings on the balls.”

With the Rangers leading 3-2 in the 7th, it was time for the bullpen, which had been pitching very well lately, to try and secure a win for an offense that has been struggling.

Josh Sborz would get the first nod out of the Rangers bullpen and have another perfect day going two scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. Will Smith would follow with a clean 9th inning to secure the Rangers’ win.

Texas got a huge insurance run in the 7th when Corey Seager shot a first-pitch changeup into the Rangers bullpen to put the Rangers up 4-2. That home run marked the fifth straight season that Corey Seager has hit at least ten home runs.

The Rangers would get a huge 4-2 win to even up this series with the Blue Jays!!! Texas pitching and defense were great tonight, and the offense was able to make up for the lack of hitting with runners on base by hitting three home runs.