ARLINGTON – (Wire Service Report) – The Texas Rangers are far from healthy but find themselves one game out of first place in the American League West as they kick off a nine-game homestand with a matchup against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.
Texas (74-76) had lost its last eight road series until it beat Arizona 7-6 on Sunday to take two of three games against the Diamondbacks. Sunday’s win moved the Rangers a game behind Houston in the division, although the Astros own the tiebreaker.
It was a big road series,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. “After a tough final game in Seattle, to come here and win two out of three against a really good team (is great). Hopefully we can build that momentum going into a good homestand against some more tough teams. But that was a big win, and a much-needed win.
“We need this off day (Monday), 1,000%, but I’m proud to be part of this team. They are showing fight and resiliency. They are doing whatever they can to get on the field. I’m positive that some of them probably shouldn’t be playing, and they are. And, so, that’s why I think we’re in a really good spot mentally because the guys are playing for each other.”
Third baseman Josh Jung is among those playing at less than 100%. He was activated from the injured list (left calf) before Saturday’s game in Arizona and went 4-for-9 with two RBIs in the final two games of the series, but he was pulled from Sunday’s game in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“It was the first time I’ve had some soreness since I started playing again, but we managed,” Jung said. “It was good enough. And I’m going to play every day. I might be sore. I might be running really slowly. But I’m going to be out there and do the best I can.”
There’s also concern regarding outfielder Joc Pederson, who was hit by a pitch on his left hand Saturday and was wearing a brace Sunday. Schumaker said Pederson was scheduled to see a hand specialist in the coming days.
Pitchers Cal Quantrill (back) and Jacob deGrom (groin) are dealing with injuries as well.
The injury news is better for Boston (82-68), which activated first baseman Willson Contreras from the 10-day injured list Sunday. Contreras, who leads the team with 26 home runs, batted fourth and went 2-for-3 in a 4-1 triumph over the Kansas City Royals.
Contreras was booed by fans at Fenway Park twice in August for failing to run out ground balls while managing a sore hamstring and was placed on the IL on Aug. 31.
“Felt good overall,” Contreras said. “Good game. We won, most important thing. I had to (run the bases). I don’t want to get booed again, so I made sure my hamstring was 100%.”
The Red Sox, who are currently in a position to face the New York Yankees in an American League wild-card series, will start left-hander Patrick Sandoval (1-5, 4.58) on Tuesday. Sandoval is 1-3 with a 3.29 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against the Rangers.
Texas has not announced a probable starter.
–Field Level Media