PHILADELPHIA — It took the Texas Rangers until April 23 to score at least eight runs in a game last season. It took them three (well, technically, because of the off day, four) days to do it this year.
Credit — at least in a series-clinching 8-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park — a whole heap of new guys.
Here are three observations from the win.
A relatively GOREgeous debut
Rangers
The Rangers dealt five prospects to the Washington Nationals in exchange for left-hander MacKenzie Gore this winter.
He showed why for the majority of Sunday’s game.
Gore threw 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball and held the Phillies hitless through the first five. Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford recorded their first hit to lead off the sixth with what amounted to a swinging bunt when he softly chopped a pitch between third base and the mound. Gore then walked shortstop Trea Turner, allowed a single to designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and struck out first baseman Bryce Harper before he plunked third baseman Alec Bohm with the bases loaded to drive in a run.
Right-hander Cole Winn replaced Gore and limited the damage. He got right fielder Adolis García to flyout for the second out and second baseman Bryson Stott to ground out for the third.
Gore struck out seven batters with five different pitches and ran his fastball up to 97.2 mph.
The Andrew McCutchen experience has been an early success
McCutchen believed there was a “90 percent” chance his professional baseball career was over less than a month ago. Since then he’s signed with the Rangers, earned a spot on the opening day roster and contributed mightily to each of the team’s first two wins.
McCutchen doubled in Thursday’s season opener, singled in Saturday’s extra innings win and, on Sunday, recorded his first home run in a Rangers uniform. He hit a fastball from left-hander Jesús Luzardo 105.7 mph into left field for a three-run home run that gave the Rangers a 5-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. In the sixth, with two outs, he reached on a double against Luzardo and scored when García lost a pop fly from catcher Kyle Higashioka in the sun.
The 39-year-old started at designated hitter Sunday to face Luzardo as the Rangers have platooned him against left-handers and Joc Pederson against right-handers through three games. He’s 4 for 9 with three extra base hits to start his Texas tenure.
Speaking of quick starts with a new club
Right fielder Brandon Nimmo, acquired last fall from the New York Mets in exchange for second baseman Marcus Semien, made an impression in his return to a National League East ballpark.
Nimmo hit a two-run home run off of Luzardo in the top of the third inning for the game’s first runs and has reached base five times through three games. The 33-year-old is 4 for 12 with a walk, a hit by pitch and a stolen base.
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