The last representative of the American League East section was eliminated, the Baltimore Orioles lost to the Texas Rangers in three games. They put the final nail in the coffin with a convincing 7-1 win at Globe Life Field on Tuesday night.
The group led by the Orioles (101-61) was easily the most competitive in Major Baseball in 2023. Except all of their teams were defeated in the playoffs. The Toronto Blue Jays (89-73) lost to the Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays (99-63) were the Rangers’ first victims.
• Also read: The Twins are one loss away from elimination
Baltimore was no match in the deciding game, its batters neutralized by starter Nathan Eovaldi (2-0) for seven innings before its relievers took over.
Dean Kremer (0-1), who posted a stellar 13-5 regular season record, had a nightmarish night of work. He allowed seven hits and six runs — Corey Seger and Adolis Garcia hit homers at his expense — before being sent to the showers. His stint only lasted one lap and two thirds.
Mitch Garver contributed to the Rangers’ early success with a two-run double. Nathaniel Lowe provided the finishing touch with a home run in the sixth inning.
The Orioles were sorely lacking in support from their pitchers. They allowed 18 points in the last two games alone.
This is the first time the Rangers have reached the American Finals series since 2011. That year, they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series for the second straight year. They now await the outcome of the duel between the Twins and the Houston Astros, the latter leading two games to one.