*Photo from Lone Star Ball*
One of the Texas Rangers offseason signings was one reason they won today. That's what the Rangers were hoping for, that's the idea any team has, that a free agent signing helps you win. Corey Seager homered, Zach Reks got his first RBI, and the Rangers defeated the Atlanta Braves with a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon in Arlington.
The first inning home run by Seager was the first time that the Rangers had scored in the first inning of a game since opening day. It also helped them snap a 4 game losing streak, although they still sit in last place in the AL West. Reks had his first big league hit and RBI at the same time, helping to pad the Ranger lead. The Dane Dunning show on the mound also helped.
Rangers manager Chris Woodward said of Dunning that "You could see the intent from the first inning. If anything, I think that set the tone for our entire ballclub. I know he struck out the side, but it was just the way he moved down the mound. Frankly, that's what we needed. I wasn't shocked by the outcome after seeing that first inning, just seeing how well he executed and the life on the pitches. That's as good as I've ever seen. He won the game for us."
Seager got the Rangers on the board early, hitting a solo home run to put the Rangers ahead 1-0, homering in his 3rd straight game. In the second inning, the Rangers built on their lead, with the recently called up Sam Huff hitting an RBI single to left field, scoring Reks to put the Rangers ahead by a 2-0 score.
In the 3rd inning, Ronald Acuna Jr picked up his first RBI of the season on a bloop single to right field, scoring Travis Demeritte to cut the Atlanta deficit to 2-1. One inning later, in the 4th, Reks put the Rangers ahead 3-1, with an RBI single to right field that scored Andy Ibáñez.
Getting the start for the Rangers was Dunning, who got his first win since August of 2021, improving to 1-1 this season. Dunning went a career best 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run on 3 hits and 7 strikeouts. Dennis Santana finished off the 8th inning, while Joe Barlow got the save in the 9th.
Dunning gave some of the credit to his catcher Huff, saying that "We were pretty spot on with what we wanted to do with each batter, and he was fantastic in between innings, just talking about each hitter and the approach that we're gonna go with. I thought he did a phenomenal job. It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that we're on the same page constantly."
For the Braves, it was Bryce Elder who got the start, also getting the loss to fall to 1-3 on the season. Elder allowed all 3 Texas runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, lasting just 4 1/3 innings. Spencer Strider then came on in relief, pitching the final 3 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out 5 hitters.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Elder that "He’s still learning. He’s a young kind. That’s like I say every time, he’s going to experience something new, whether it's with the running game or executing pitches, he never gives in. I admire him. He’s got a lot of great intangibles, it's just a matter of experience for him."
Up next, the Braves and Rangers conclude their series on Sunday afternoon. Taylor Hearn will get the start for the Rangers, while the Braves have not announced a starter yet.
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