The Texas Rangers opened the American League Division Series with a 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. The Rangers’ bullpen held off the Orioles in the late innings to secure the victory.
The Rangers got off to a strong start with a two-run homer from Rougned Odor in the first inning. The Orioles responded with two runs of their own in the fourth inning, tying the game at two.
The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh inning when Texas’ Delino DeShields hit a solo home run to give the Rangers the lead. The Orioles threatened in the eighth and ninth innings, but the Rangers’ bullpen was able to hold them off and secure the win.
Rangers’ starter Cole Hamels pitched six innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He was relieved by Keone Kela, who pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Sam Dyson and Jake Diekman combined for two scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth, respectively, to close out the game.
The Rangers’ bullpen was key in securing the win. They allowed only one hit in three innings of work and struck out four batters.
The Rangers will look to build on their momentum as they head into Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday. They will be hoping for another strong performance from their bullpen as they look to take a commanding lead in the series.
