The Texas Rangers' offense exploded in their 11-8 win over the Orioles in Game 2 of the ALDS on Sunday in Baltimore. Texas will now head home with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 game series and will look to close out Baltimore as soon as Game 3 on Tuesday night in Arlington.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
THE RANGERS' OFFENSE CAME TO LIFE
After struggling throughout the club's first three postseason games, which were all wins, the Rangers' offense finally showed up.
Texas scored 11 runs on 11 hits. Mitch Garver, who was inserted into the lineup for the first time this postseason, took out his anger on Orioles pitching by hitting a grand slam off reliever Bryan Baker in the third inning.
Garver also had an RBI single on an infield dribbler down the first-base line.
Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia snapped out of their postseason slumps by getting two hits a piece, and Corey Seager walked four times and scored two runs.
Evan Carter got on base two more times (1 H, 1 BB) and Josh Jung got on base three times (2 H, 1 BB), and scored twice.
CODY BRADFORD TO THE RESCUE
The Rangers gave their ace, Jordan Montgomery, a 9-2 lead in the third inning, but he couldn't get out the fifth inning. The outing was Montgomery's shortest since he allowed six runs to the Minnesota Twins in 3 2/3 innings on Sept. 2.
The left-hander, who had been nothing short of spectacular in his last five starts (2 ER in 34 IP), needed to be picked up on Sunday.
Enter Cody Bradford.
After Montgomery allowed a lead-off home run to Gunnar Henderson in the fifth to cut the lead to 10-5, he gave up a hit to Austin Hayes. Manager Bruce Bochy went to the bullpen and brought out rookie Cody Bradford for his first career postseason appearance. Bradford rewarded his manager by tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Bradford allowed just three hits and struck out four.
ORIOLES DON'T GO DOWN QUIETLY
The Orioles made things interesting in the 9th inning, getting two runners on base against left-hander Brock Burke. Not wanting to take any chances with an 11-5 lead, Bochy brought in his closer Jose Leclerc with one out.
Leclerc proceeded to allow a three-run home run to Aaron Hicks to cut the deficit to 11-8. He rebounded to get the next two hitters out to end the game.
Baltimore out-hit the Rangers 14-11.