Texas Rangers Claw Back, Win Final Spring Game
The Texas Rangers looked ready for Opening Day and the 2023 MLB season. In their final game of MLB Spring Training on Tuesday afternoon, the Rangers took down the Kansas City Royals 5-3 in front of 11,334 fans at Globe Life Field.
Martín Pérez took the mound for Texas in his final start of the spring before taking the ball Sunday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Over the course of five innings, the lefty allowed just one earned run, a solo home run from Hunter Dozier to dead center.
Aside from the long ball, Pérez looked strong striking out five. It was an encouraging start for Pérez before the nationally-televised ESPN game against the defending National League champs.
Pérez was relieved by Jon Gray, who also got in his final work of the spring. Gray pitched four innings and gave up two earned runs, one of which was also a solo home run from pinch hitter Michael Massey.
Offensively, it took a while for Texas to get moving. For the first five innings, the bats were silent. Only a Josh Jung single, Ezequiel Duran double and Jonah Heim single were to speak.
Momentum for the offense picked up in the sixth inning when Jonathan Ornelas, who replaced Marcus Semien in the fourth, singled. After a Corey Seager strikeout, utility man Brad Miller doubled home Ornelas a line drive to right field, cutting the Royals' lead in half to 2-1.
That momentum carried into the seventh, as the Rangers continued their comeback and took the lead for good. Travis Jankowski, who is fighting for a roster spot, led off with a single to right. Catcher Sam Huff drew a one-out walk. Duran walked to load the bases.
Ornelas continued his impressive afternoon with a sac fly to left, scoring Jankowski to tie the game 2-2. Clint Frazier, after being told he wouldn't make the team on Friday, reached first on a throwing error by Royals third baseman Nate Eaton, and Huff scored.
Duran advanced to third and stole home on a double steal, increasing the Texas lead to 4-2.
Finally, Josh Smith tripled in the eighth and scored on on another Jankowski single to center, making it 5-2.
It was a good showing from some players still fighting for one of the final roster spots. Both Texas pitchers were solid, giving up just three runs.
Now, all eyes are focused on Opening Day on Thursday.
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