The Texas Rangers responded in the best way possible after being outclassed by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, returning the favor two days later with a 3-1 win at Chase Field on Monday night.
Bruce Bochy’s men once again took the lead in the World Series, which they now lead 2-1. In the previous game they were defeated at home by 9 to 1, which raised many questions.
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The Texas representatives scored all of their points in the third inning. With two outs against him, Marcus Semien showed composure by hitting a single that brought Nathaniel Lowe across the plate. The next batter, Corey Seager, eliminated the runs with his fifth home run of the playoffs.
It was a close decision for the Rangers, who were only able to save five goals. They were all successful at the expense of starter Brandon Pfaadt (0-1), who stayed on the mound for five and a half innings, and starting reliever Miguel Castro.
Scherzer is in pain
Max Scherzer had quite a chance in front of him; that of playing against the team that gave him his first chance in major baseball. Three years after being selected in the 43rd round by the St. Louis Cardinals, the right-hander was drafted 11th overall by Arizona in 2006.
He only played two seasons with the D-Backs, but he was always outstanding against them. Before Monday’s game, he had a perfect record of 9-0 and a 2.65 points allowed average against the desert club.
Scherzer got off to a brilliant start, allowing just two hits in three innings. However, he couldn’t manage any more because a strain in his back was bothering him during the warm-up before the fourth round of batting.
Jon Gray (1-0) came on in relief and did a very good job in three innings. The Rangers’ shutout was thwarted in the eighth inning when Aroldis Chapman gave up a run to Geraldo Perdomo after a double by Emmanuel Rivera.
Both teams remain in Phoenix for Game 4 on Tuesday.