Ian Kinsler cranked a two-out, bases-empty home run in the top of the fourth inning of Thursday's Game 2 of the American League Division Series, giving the Texas Rangers a 2-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.
The bomb could go a long way toward earning the Rangers a far more important 2-0 lead—in the ALDS, that is.
Kinsler's shot was sweet redemption after he grounded out with a runner on second base in the second inning, and came on a fastball from the homer-prone Jame Shields of the Rays.
Texas' offense has been a well-oiled machine down the stretch this season, in large part because of manager Ron Washington's willingness to use platoons like Jeff Francoeur (who played right field yesterday, moving Nelson Cruzover to left) and Julio Borbon (who is in left today against the right-handed Shields). Another key factor, however, has been the health of Cruz and Kinsler.
Kinsler spent two long stints on the disabled list this season. But when healthy, he batted .286/.382/.412, with 15 steals.
In the bottom half of the frame, Kinsler ruined some of his own good will by booting a Carl Crawford grounder for an error with one out. Fortunately for Kinsler and the Rangers, C.J. Wilson pitched around the miscue, inducing an Evan Longoria fly out and a Ben Zobrist liner to Cruz in right field for the third out.
Washington's personnel management has looked masterful throughout the season, and especially in the playoffs so far. But he has a great deal of talent with which to work: Borbon, the worst of his outfield options, still has game-changing speed.
After Borbon forced Zobrist to retire him instead of trying for a second-inning double play, the runner who advanced on the play (Rangers catcher Matt Treanor) scored the first Texas run. Francoeur also had an RBI during yesterday's 5-1 win, and all three of the players in rotation (Francoeur, Cruz and Borbon) are more than serviceable defensive outfielders.
After four innings, the Rangers have a seemingly-safe two-run lead.
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