He gave up two bunt hits and hit a batter before the walk.
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The homers came in a four-pitch span and marked the eighth time in franchise history the Rangers have hit three consecutive homers – the last time was May 26, 2012, against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Chi Chi Gonzalez got the start for the Rangers and after that first inning he settled in nicely. With his hit Wednesday, Sucre’s batting average went over. Good defense. We’ve beat the ball around a little, and we’ve played small ball.
Iwakuma is the third Mariner named AL Player of the Week this season, along with shortstop Brad Miller (May 18) and right fielder Nelson Cruz (April 20).
From there, it was off to Texas, where Fernando Rodney, a man who has destroyed more hearts than Taylor Swift and trans fats combined, blew the game in the ninth.
With this week’s announcement that Leonys Martin, who began this season as the starting center fielder before losing that job to DeShields, suffered a broken hamate bone in his right wrist and saw a hand specialist, the outfield depth took a big hit. “He bunted it, not too firm, but right at me”. Speaking of walks, the 23-year-old issued five to drive up his pitch count against the Twins. Walker went six innings full giving up three runs on ten hits. Mike Montgomery (4-6, 4.16 ERA) was credited with the loss for Seattle after being lit up in the 1st inning. “That’s something that I definitely have to work on”.
Bullpen – The winning pieces of the Rangers bullpen, known as the quartet of Shawn Tolleson, Sam Dyson, Sam Freeman and Keone Kela have combined to put up 15 scoreless innings in the last seven games.
Holland (1-1) exited after Jesus Montero’s one-out single in the seventh. Each of Cruz’s last seven home runs were solo blasts.2.
“These guys have been playing their tails off this whole year, and I haven’t been able to help out”, Holland said.
The Rangers broke a 2-2 tied on Strausborger’s sacrifice fly in the sixth. He’s seen time as a starter and reliever this season, making seven starts. Beltre’s double to left drove home Choo, who walked against Walker. “Just couldn’t get that third one”. Franklin Gutierrez grounded into a double play, but Seager was able to score. But Hamels has yet to live up to the Rangers’ expectations.
The Texas left-hander found himself in trouble again in the fifth. He retired 12 straight at one point and struck out six while walking one.
Iwakuma pitched 8⅔ innings twice, including earlier this month against Minnesota.
Rangers: OF Josh Hamilton (sore left knee) missed his fourth consecutive game.
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Iwakuma had been the subject of trade rumors as the deadline approached since pre-season favorite Seattle had fallen far off the pace in the American League West. Iwakuma’s historic performance was actually his first complete game in his major league career. He also was scratched from a scheduled start with a tight groin.
