Everything the Rangers have done so well on the way to the best start in franchise history, theWhen Round 1 was over, the Rays had a dominant 8-3 win. They also left a little note: Tiptoe around Randy Arozarena at your own risk.
That’s supposed to be the Rangers’ game. The Rangers entered the game leading the majors in OPS with two strikes , in OPS with two outs and OPS with runners in scoring position . But Tampa Bay ranked in the top five in all three categories, too. Two innings later, after a double-play ball, another mistake with Ramirez at the plate and another walk to Arozarena set the table for Paredes. Ramirez doubled on a ball Leody Taveras lost against the white roof of Tropicana Field. He played it well off the wall but said later he should have caught it. After Arozarena walked. Heaney left an 0-2 four seam fastball to Paredes up. It was high, but not high enough. It ended up in the left-field seats.
Bochy said the Rangers were not trying to pitch around Arozarena, who delivered a walk-off homer against Minnesota on Wednesday.