The Texas Rangers ended their 7-game winning streak in the postseason. ‘Championship contractor’ special ace Max Scherzer collapsed.
Texas lost 5 to 8 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros in the 2023 Major League Postseason held at Globe Life Field in Texas on the 19th (Korean time). Houston began a counterattack with a series record of 1 win and 2 losses.
Texas went through the wild card series (2 wins, undefeated) with the Tampa Bay Rays and the division series (3 wins, undefeated) with the Baltimore Orioles with all wins, and even won games 1 and 2 of the championship series with Houston.
Last July, Texas acquired Scherzer through a trade with the New York Mets to help them win the World Series. Scherzer was the best pitcher who signed a huge three-year contract worth $130 million (about 176 billion won). After transferring to Texas, Scherzer recorded 4 wins, 2 losses, and an average ERA of 3.20 in 8 games. Scherzer was injured and left the line in early September. Texas expected to gain momentum in its postseason victory streak with Scherzer’s return in Game 3.
When I opened the lid, things went beyond what I expected. Scherzer lost the first run in the top of the second inning and suffered a blow that was nothing short of a massive loss. He retired after giving up 5 runs in 4 innings.
In the top of the second inning with the game tied 0-0, Scherzer sent out leadoff hitter Jordan Alvarez with a pitch to the body. He struck out Jose Abreu and walked Kyle Tucker.
Scherzer allowed a left-field hit to Mauricio Dubon on first and second base with one out and runners on base. Scherzer blocked Jeremy Pena with a fly ball to second base.
However, Scherzer made a wild pitch at the plate of Martin Maldonado and lost the first run. With 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd base, he was hit by a timely hit to the left and lost 2 more points.
Scherzer gave up one point each in the third and fourth innings. In the top of the third inning, he hit a home run off Jose Altuve. In the top of the 4th inning, Scherzer allowed his 5th run by giving up a clean hit to center field with one out and runners on third base.
In the end, Scherzer was replaced by Cody Bradford in the top of the 5th inning when the team was down 0-5.
From the 5th episode onwards, it took place in a brawl. When Texas followed, Houston ran away, then Texas chased again and Houston ran away.
Texas seemed to be starting to chase down 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. With 2 outs and runners on first base, Josh Young revived the sluggish atmosphere with a home run to right-center.
Houston did not lose focus. In the top of the 7th inning when they were down 5-2, they added 2 points to maintain a 5-point gap. With bases loaded and 2 outs, Alvarez hit a timely hit with 2 RBIs.
Texas was also persistent. The score went straight to 4-7 in the bottom of the 7th inning. Young, who hit a home run in the first at-bat, showed off his fiery swing again. He fired a two-run gun again.
Houston responded right away in the top of the 8th inning. With no outs on first and second base, Jeremy Pena hit a timely hit. We ran away with 8-4. Although 1st and 2nd bases continued with no outs, it was disappointing that the next three batters all retired with base hits.
Texas showed its will to fight by scoring one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs and two on second base, Aroldis Garcia hit a clean hit to right-center to keep the tension tight.먹튀검증
Texas entered its final attack in the bottom of the 9th inning, trailing 5-8. Houston brought in closer Ryan Pressley in relief.
Texas leadoff hitter Mitch Garber walked and got on base. Pressley broke the ice by striking out Nathaniel Rowe. Young, the hero of consecutive home runs, appeared with one out and one on first base. Presley put an end to the victory by forcing Young into a double play.