Nathan Eovaldi made his comeback to the rotation, and Corey Seager continued to crush the baseball. But what really sealed the Rangers' victory over Arizona on Tuesday night was something they've been missing all season: an exceptional defensive play.
The game took an exciting turn in the sixth inning, right after Seager had given the Rangers the lead with a three-run homer. Adolis García squashed an Arizona rally with a laser beam to home plate that was so precise, it was hard to believe with the naked eye. García launched a throw from right field that flew directly to Jonah Heim, who tagged Joc Pederson just as his foot bounced off the dirt at home plate. Initially, it looked like Pederson beat the throw.
- Replay Drama: The Rangers had to rely on their nemesis this season, the replay challenge. Coming into the game, they were only 3 for 8 on challenges. However, replays clearly showed that Pederson’s foot hit the dirt before bouncing in the air, allowing Heim to tag him before his front foot touched the ground again.
- Heim's Insight: “You are kind of blind there,” Heim said. “Sometimes a guy feels out, sometimes he feels safe. He felt kind of out there. I guess, thanks for replay. It feels like that’s the kind of play replay was intended for. To the human eye, it looked safe.”
The replay was convincing enough that even home plate umpire Todd Tichenor felt the need to apologize to Heim the next inning. Heim responded graciously, saying, “There wasn’t anything to apologize for. I get how it looked to the naked eye. It’s something I wouldn’t want to have to make a call on. But he was great behind the plate all night. He talked to us, and we had a conversation. And when an umpire talks to you about the game, it makes it so enjoyable.”
By the time this game-changing play was made, Eovaldi, back from the IL, had already pitched three innings and handed things over to Andrew Heaney. Heaney loaded the bases in the sixth before Grant Anderson stepped in. Anderson got Eugenio Suárez to hit the fly ball that García turned into the inning-ending, game-changing double play.
- Seager’s Take: “I don’t know why people run on him,” said Seager, who had already hit a three-run homer in the fifth after being intentionally walked in the third. “It really makes no sense.”
- Manager's Praise: “You don’t see many plays made from that depth,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “It was just a game-changing play.”
- Heaney's Gratitude: “Thankfully Adolis was out there doing Adolis things,” Heaney added.
This was García’s first outfield assist of the season, adding to the 37 he had over the past three seasons. His prowess in the field earned him a Gold Glove last year, and plays like this show why.
In the end, it wasn’t just Eovaldi’s return or Seager’s power at the plate that made the difference. It was the dazzling defensive play that truly highlighted the Rangers' win.
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