The Texas Rangers enjoyed a couple of firsts in their first series coming out of the All-Star break.
After going into the break on a definite tailspin, just winning a series was a positive. The Rangers (54-39) did that by taking the first two of the three-game series against Cleveland Guardians at Globe Life Field, including Saturday’s 2-0 victory that featured Aroldis Chapman’s first save in the Texas uniform.
“It’s good to get his first one as a Ranger in a big one for us,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
The Rangers claimed their first series victory since June 19-21 at the Chicago White Sox (2-1) after going winless (0-4-1) in their previous five sets before the break.
Texas dropped the last series before the All-Star Game by losing two of three at the Washington Nationals, with Saturday’s starter Andrew Heaney turning in his worst loss of the season in the 8-3 setback on July 8. The lefty responded with 5 1/3 shutout innings against Cleveland.
“I didn’t want to pick up where I left off, that’s for sure,” Heaney said. “I think it’s hard not to progress from the way that last start went in D.C., but I think everybody wants to get off to a good start. I know what I’m capable of. I’m never going to doubt myself or my abilities, but at the same time, I got to go out there and do it.”
The Rangers hadn’t won a series at home since taking two of three from June 16-18 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Texas shoots for its fifth sweep in a series of any length this season in the finale against Cleveland at 1:35 p.m. and first since June 2-4 against the Seattle Mariners (3-0).
This is a crucial homestand for the American League West leaders, with three playoff contenders visiting Arlington. The Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers – a pair of first-place teams – are up after the Guardians.
The Rangers went into Sunday with a 3.0-game lead over the Houston Astros in the division.
You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.
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