The three-run homer produced the Rangers’ second straight walk-off win and some needed good vibes.
ARLINGTON — Josh Jung was hopping around the bases Sunday afternoon like he’d just won the lottery. His Texas Rangers teammates mobbed him at home plate. The stoic Marcus Semien dumped a bucket of water on Jung during a postgame TV interview.
This came less than 24 hours after Leody Taveras received similar treatment for his walk-off single. He was so excited that he actually hoisted up Adolis Garcia.
Baseball, for two straight games in a season that has been frustrating and disappointing, was fun.
“Winning and having fun are intertwined,” Jung said. “We’re having fun. That was a really fun moment for me, jumping up and down. But I think when you start winning games, fun comes with it.”
Furthermore, the two wins over the A’s should put to rest the notion that Rangers players are quitting as the team starts looking to 2025. Don’t mistake bad offense for not trying.
With 25 games remaining, the Rangers must go 16-9 to reach .500. The first three are against the New York Yankees, who (barely) have the best record in the American League and MVP front-runner Aaron Judge.
But you never know what you’re going to see at the ballpark, like back-to-back walk-off wins by a team that hasn’t given up and actually had some fun over the weekend.
“The last inning you’re having a blast,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
Leiter a go
Right-hander Jack Leiter is the Rangers’ probable starter tonight for the opener against the Yankees, Bochy said, and the rookie will be facing the best lineup in his five career starts so far.
The Yankees have more than just Judge, who will be a test. Juan Soto might be a tougher at-bat with his astute eye at the plate. Leiter needs to face them at some point, and he should relish it.
Two things of note:
Leiter will be pitching on four days’ rest, which is the norm in the majors. However, minor-league starters work on six days’ rest, so he had to adjust his routine some. The Rangers are aware, and they might have him on a shorter leash, whether he’s pitching well or not.
The key to getting deeper into the game will be having a quick first inning, which won’t be easy with Soto and Judge at the top of the Yankees’ lineup. Leiter can get them out without trying to blow his fastball past them, though he will probably have some extra velo just from the adrenaline he’ll be feeling. Anything less than 20 pitches would be rate as a first-inning success.
The Rangers are committed to giving Leiter a chance this month. Knowing that should put him at ease. That could help with the two points above.
Another step closer
Right-hander Jacob deGrom lamented on Friday that he hadn’t pitched enough out of the stretch through his first two rehab outings. He had made only three of his 53 pitches over four innings not in the full windup.
He wanted some stressful situations as he continues to check off the necessary boxes on his way back to the Rangers’ rotation from Tommy John surgery in June of 2023. He experienced one Sunday afternoon while pitching for Triple A Round Rock.
DeGrom remained dominant, allowing only one hit and one walk in 2 2/3 scoreless innings. But the hit and the walk came on back-to-back batters in the second inning, and deGrom was forced to throw 19 pitches from the stretch and get outs with runners in scoring position.
The second inning ran his pitch count toward the limit of 45, so he was removed at 43 pitches after getting the first two outs of the third inning. He walked off the mound with five strikeouts and only one more start in the minors standing between him and his 2024 Rangers debut.
That start is scheduled for Saturday and will likely be at Double A Frisco, unless deGrom wasn’t to pitch for Round Rock in Las Vegas to relive his Mets minor-league days.
If all goes well, he could pitch Sept. 12 or 13 for the Rangers as Seattle.
Max Scherzer could also be pitching this week at Frisco as he continues to push his way back from another bout of nerve discomfort.
Rangers add two
Sept. 1 marks the day in baseball each season when MLB rosters expand for the stretch drive. Unfortunately for teams looking toward next season, rosters don’t expand like they once did.
The Rangers are looking forward and wish they had had the luxury of promoting more than just the two added Sunday: infielder Jonathan Ornelas and right-hander Owen White, both from Round Rock.
They weren’t the two many were hoping would be promoted. Ornelas is a handy player to have around, though Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran play every position he does. White has transitioned from being a starter to a reliever with some success, but the initial word is that he’s on hand to help in case the Rangers need a long man.
Neither looks as if he will be a significant contributor next season.
On the other hand, the Rangers might need help at first base, and no batter in the system has been hotter than Blaine Crim. He’s in his sixth season in the system and has been an offensive machine everywhere he’s been. Even though he isn’t on the 40-man roster, he needs a look.
Outfielder Dustin Harris is on the 40-man and has yet to make his MLB debut, and the Rangers likely need to see what Harris has for the big leagues. In addition to playing in the outfield, Harris can also play first base and third base.
There is hope that they will be promoted. Bochy said on Sunday and general manager Chris Young said on Friday that the Rangers will continue to manage the roster as they do a 26-man roster.
Players with options could be sent back to the minors in exchange for prospects like Harris and Crim. Also, the Rangers will have to option players whenever deGrom, Scherzer and Josh Sborz are healthy (deGrom will need a 40-man spot).
ICYMI …
For those of you who are just discovering DLLS, welcome. We launched one week ago, and my content from Rangers Today can now be found here. We’re also doing a five-days-a-week podcast with John Rhadigan, Abby Jones and me. Take a look at some of our content from the past week, in case you missed it:
Doggy video!
Pretty damn peppy for a Monday. Enjoy.
Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com
