Not only did the Texas Rangers get blown out 13-6 in the opener of their most important series to date, the Houston Astros did something never before seen in MLB history.
The defending champions hit back-to-back home runs. Twice. And they did so with their ninth-place hitter being part of the act both times.
And to add further insult, he called his shot.
“I told him we’re going to go back-to-back,” Mauricio Dubón reportedly told Jose Altuve.
Dubón and Altuve left the yard at Globe Life Field in successive at-bats in the sixth and ninth innings off Rangers relievers Glenn Otto and Martín Pérez, respectively.
It marked just the seventh time in Astros history that the club has produced multiple back-to-back home runs in the same game and just the second time the same duo did it. Even more rare, Houston became the first team in MLB history to have its No. 9 and leadoff batters do the trick twice in the same game, according to OptaSTATS.
“We ended up doing it twice,” Dubón said after his first career multi-homer game. “Pretty crazy.”
The Rangers have to feel the same, but for different reasons. The bullpen was lit up for 10 runs (nine earned) in relief of Andrew Heaney. In addition to Otto and Pérez, Josh Sborz was beat up for six runs (five earned) in less than an inning of work.
“We were kind of a little shorthanded in the bullpen,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. “You’re hoping those guys come through for you, and they struggled. That was the story of the game.”
The struggles in relief continue to haunt the Rangers, who are just 4-13 since Aug. 16. Texas (76-61) is a game behind both the Seattle Mariners (77-60) and Astros (78-61) in the American League West and a half-game up on the Toronto Blue Jays (76-62) for the last Wild Card spot.
The Rangers and Astros play the second game of the series Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m.
You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.
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