September 9 – The Texas Rangers returned to Phoenix for their first appearance in the city since winning the World Series on November 1.
The Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games in last season’s World Series, and after the Texans swept Arizona in a two-game home series in late May, the Rangers are set to encounter again on Tuesday night.
The two starting pitchers tied in the decisive Game 5 on Tuesday – Nathan Eovaldi pitched six scoreless innings to get the win for Texas, and Zac Gallen went 6–1/3 innings allowing one run and three hits, but lost the game to the Diamondbacks.
While Arizona has a good chance to return to the playoffs, Texas’ hopes are low.
The Rangers (70-74) have won 10 of their last 13 games but still must advance past five teams to clinch the American League’s third and final wild-card spot.
Texas entered Monday’s game 6 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for third place.
Rangers left-back Andrew Heaney said the team was operating in a pressure-free environment.
“I think our guys have been doing the same thing all year,” Heaney said, “it just feels a little different because we’re winning more games and inevitably you’re going to feel happier, more relaxed.”
Texas beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-4 at home on Sunday. Marcus Semien, Nathaniel Lowe and Ezequiel Duran all homered for the Rangers.
Arizona (80-64) hoped to turn things around with a 12-6 win over the host Houston Astros on Sunday night.
The win was just the fifth in 13 games for the Diamondbacks, who trail the first-place San Diego Padres by a half-game in the race for a National League wild-card spot. Arizona is tied for last place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.
The Diamondbacks got a stellar night from Pavon Smith on Sunday. Smith hit a career-high three home runs and drove in eight runs, one short of the franchise record of nine set by Erubiel Durazo in 2002.
“It’s a great day for Pavon,” Arizona head coach Torey Lovullo said. “Pavin can hit the ball. We’ve always been pleased with his at-bats, his ability to get in the lineup after not playing a game for a couple of days and be able to hit the ball hard. He knows his swing just as well as anybody right now.”
Smith hit a three-run home run, a grand slam, and a solo shot in a memorable night.
“It’s one of those nights where you’re in a zone,” Smith said. “…Once I was able to get a good swing in my first at-bat, it gave me confidence the rest of the game.”
Gallen (11-6, 3.69 ERA) pitched six hitless innings in a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday before being pulled.
The 29-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA in three regular season games with Texas. Battling him were Jonah Heim (0-for-8), Nathaniel Lowe (1-for-8) and Leody Taveras (1-for-6).
Eovaldi (11-7, 3.55) has made three consecutive starts. He allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings in a win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
Eovaldi, 34, was 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA in nine regular season games (six starts) against the Diamondbacks. On May 28, he received a no-decision after allowing two runs and five hits in three innings in a scheduled outing while recovering from a groin injury.
Against right-handers, Randal Grichuk went 1 for 12 and Eugenio Suárez went 1 for 9.
Gallen and Eovaldi also met in Game 1 of the World Series, which Texas won 6–5 in 11 innings.
–Visual-level media
