Texas Rangers Closer José Leclerc Makes MLB History In ALCS Game 2 Win Over Astros
HOUSTON — The Texas Rangers have won seven consecutive postseason games and one thing has remained constant throughout the historic run.
José Leclerc has closed every single game, the longest streak of games finished to open a postseason run in MLB history.
Leclerc was at it again Monday with a four-out save in the Rangers' 5-4 Game 2 win over the Houston Astros to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series.
Leclerc has three saves in the playoffs, including the two opening games in the ALCS at Minute Maid Park.
The series shifts to Globe Life Field in Arlington for Game 3 at 7:03 p.m. Wednesday.
Leclerc has allowed a run on four hits over 7 1/3 postseason innings, the only blemish was a three-run homer with a six-run lead in the ninth inning of Game 2 against the Orioles in the ALDS. He's struck out seven and walked three, including walks to Jose Abreu and Michael Brantley after replacing Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the eighth on Monday. Leclerc forced Chas McCormick to ground out softly to third on 1-1 slider out of the zone.
"I never really thought I would pitch the way that I'm pitching right now. It's something that I've worked for this whole time to get to this point," said Leclerc, who lowered his postseason ERA to 1.23.
"I'm just very thankful that [Bruce] Bochy has confidence in me and that I'm able to be in this position. This team right here is like family. I practically spend more time with them than I do my own family so we have a really, good unique group. I'm just thankful for the opportunity in this moment to be in a position to help the team out."
Leclerc has thrown as many as 24 pitches twice in the seven-game stretch, including Monday. He threw more pitches only three times in the final two months of the regular season.
"I was mentally ready already [in the seventh], if something went wrong with Chappy I knew I was probably going to come in," he said. "I was ready for that moment."
What's he thinking in the moment he records the final out?
"I just think to myself, it's one less game for us to get to that final objective," Leclerc said.
You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.
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