Texas Rangers catcher Mitch Garver (18) celebrates with center fielder Evan Carter (32) after hitting a grand slam home run during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles. Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Grand slam puts Rangers on brink of commanding ALDS lead

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 8, 2023 6:19 PM ET

The Texas Rangers have the Baltimore Orioles, the top seed in the AL, on the ropes in Game 2 of the ALDS after a Mitch Garver grand slam gave the Rangers a 9-2 lead in the third inning.

Mitch Garver is GRAND! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/m2OXlIpl6P
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2023

Rangers batters' patience at the plate paid off in the biggest possible way with Garver's slam. Leody Taveras, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager walked to load the bases, setting up the devastating blow that could be a knockout punch.

"I had a feeling he wouldn't go off-speed," said Garver during the FS1 broadcast, explaining how he was prepared for Jacob Webb's four-seam fastball.

Texas was the top team in the AL West for most of the season but finished second to Houston after losing on the last day of the regular season. It quickly put that disappointing end to the season behind it, winning its first three games of the postseason on the road, where it was 40-41 during the regular season.

Unless the Orioles stage a monumental comeback in Game 2, they'll need to win three in a row to advance to the ALCS. Baltimore finished the regular season with the AL's best record at 101-61 and is dangerously close to squandering its remarkable season.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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