April 30, 2022 - Game 21
W - Dane Dunning (1-1)
L - Bryce Elder (1-3)
S - Joe Barlow (1)
HR: TEX: Seager (4)
Time of Game: 2:16
Cowboy Hat Winner: Dane Dunning (1st)
Game Recap
Saturday, the Rangers broke out the throwback uniforms celebrating fifty years in Arlington. It was the same uniforms they wore in 1972. For the night, things started on a positive note. For the third straight game, Corey Seager homered. The Rangers also scored in the first inning for the first time since Opening Day. Sam Huff (the catcher tonight with Jonah Heim on paternity leave) singled to left field in the second inning. Andy Ibáñez scored, but an overturned call ruled Nick Solak out at third base, ending any additional threats by Texas. The Braves got on the board on a Ronald Acuña Jr RBI single (his second game back with Atlanta and his first this series). In the fourth inning, Zach Reks, who the Rangers recalled from triple-A Round Rock today and optioning Spencer Howard, drove in Ibáñez to extend the Rangers' lead to 3-1. "The fans were energetic and to have it announced my first hit and be behind me was a cool experience," Zack Reks said after the game regarding the roar from the fans.
Dane Dunning looked impressive on Saturday. Despite the numbers pointing to a middle-of-the-pack MLB offense, the Braves stacked their lineup. Dunning cruised through the first and second innings while retiring the side in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. He allowed two hits in the fourth and a run but didn't walk a single batter. Last year, there was weary on the pitch count to protect Dunning, while tonight felt like a freer leash for Dane. After a double and a reach-on error, Dunning struck out seven and left in the eighth inning. He left with a huge round of applause from a crowd of over 36,000 fans in attendance. "At that point, I was happy I went as long as I did," Dane said after the game regarding the atmosphere. "In reality I think I was zoned out, still focused in that aspect. The cheer was awesome, I loved it."
Chris Woodward opted to go to Dennis Santana in the bullpen to face Ronald Acuña Jr with two on and two out. Acuña Jr grounded to shortstop to end the Braves' threat and keep the Rangers' lead intact. Joe Barlow came into the ninth inning to finish things on a quick Saturday evening game.
The Rangers' offense scrambled for a few runs against Decatur native Bryce Elder. Elder finished Saturday night, allowing three runs on four hits, walking three, and only one strikeout. Atlanta got length from their reliever Spencer Strider who pitched 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out four Rangers. Texas’ offense didn’t get much going through the night but they were efficient at the plate being 2 for 4 with runners in scoring position Saturday.
Postgame Notes
Dane Dunning set a career-high in innings Saturday. He pitched 7.2 innings and ninety-eight pitches. He fell five pitches shy of overtaking his career-high in pitches (102).
Corey Seager's home run was the first run the Rangers scored in the first inning since Opening Day in Toronto (April 8th).
Seager becomes the seventh player in MLB history to homer in three straight games at Globe Life Field; five of those seven are Texas Rangers players.
For the first time in 2022, the Rangers have a starting pitcher throw a pitch in the eighth inning and the longest outing by a Rangers starter.
It's the fourth time the Braves were held to one run in a game.
Sam Huff's single in the second keeps a seven-game MLB hitting streak intact going back to 2020. In that span, Huff is 10 for 25.
Zack Reks’ fourth inning single was his first MLB hit.
Braves are 1-11 when they do not score first in a game.
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