Advertisement

sportsRangers

Three takeaways: Rangers bullpen collapse results in Dyson's first blown save since becoming closer

Takeaways and observations from the New York Yankees' 9-7 walkoff win over the Rangers on Wednesday night:

Three takeaways

Bullpen issues: The Rangers have tried to nurse a hard-worked bullpen through some rest lately, but for the second time in a week it blew up on them. Matt Bush, trying to pitch the ninth after getting the final two outs in the eighth, allowed two runners, then Sam Dyson, who had four days off last week, allowed two homers in a three-batter span.

Upside down: Nick Martinez flirted with history. And not really the kind to be proud of. Until the ninth-inning bullpen meltdown, Martinez stood to be the winner despite the fact that he'd thrown more balls (46) than strikes (38). It would have tied Jeff Fassero (1999) for the fewest strikes in a win by a Rangers starter with at least 75 pitches. It also would have been just the fourth time since baseball starting tracking pitches in 1988 that a Ranger starter won with more balls thrown than strikes.

Advertisement

One strike away: The single biggest difference in the Rangers offense this year is their ability to succeed with two strikes. Two such instances in the third helped them build a lead. Ian Desmond worked a walk on a full-count pitch to load the bases and then Nomar Mazara cleared them with a full-count double.

Rangers

Be the smartest Rangers fan. Get the latest news.

Or with:

Breakdown

The arms: RHP Sam Dyson allowed a three-run homer to Brian McCann to suffer his first blown save since taking over the closer's role. ... Dyson had allowed just one of 14 inherited runners to score before allowing both of the guys he inherited from Matt Bush to score. .. Bush has been asked to pitch more than one inning twice in the last week. He has allowed four of the six batters he's faced to reach. ... This was the fourth time in 51 games the Rangers lost when leading after eight innings.

Advertisement

The bats: DH Prince Fielder doubled off the wall in left center to start the second inning and extend his hitting streak to 11 games. ... Fielder had a pair of hits and had back-to-back multi-hit games. It is the first time this season he's had back-to-back multi-hit games. ... With his solo homer, 3B Adrian Beltre broke a tie with Jeff Kent and is now 51st all-time in RBIs at 1,519. He needs seven to pass Sam Crawford and crack the top 50. ... The Rangers are 113-26 in games in which Beltre has homered since he joined the team in 2011. ... SS Elvis Andrus put together a 12-pitch walk in the eighth.

The gloves: 3B Beltre picked Alex Rodriguez's hard smash and turned it into a double play after RHP Nick Martinez had created a two-on, no outs jam in the first. ... Martinez made a good play to grab Brett Gardner's bouncer up the middle but threw to third instead of first before making runner Jacoby Ellsbury commit. Ellsbury was able to scamper back safely. ... LF Nomar Mazara ran down a ball in the gap in left center.

SCORING HIGHLIGHTS

Advertisement

RANGERS SECOND

Prince Fielder led off with a double to left field. After Rougned Odor moved him to third with a grounder to the right side, Elvis Andrus singled Fielder home. Rangers 1, New York 0

NEW YORK SECOND

Chase Headley homered. Rangers 1, New York 1

RANGERS THIRD

No. 9 hitter Robinson Chirinos led off with a single and Shin-Soo Choo followed with another. Ian Desmond worked a walk on a full-count pitch. On another full-count Nomar Mazara doubled into the gap in right center to clear the bases. Mazara scored on Fielder's infield single. Rangers 5, New York 1

RANGERS SIXTH

Odor homered to left. Rangers 6, New York 1

Advertisement

NEW YORK SIXTH

Nick Martinez walked Brian McCann and allowed a single to Starlin Castro before leaving. McCann scored on a sacrifice fly by Headley. Rangers 6, New York 2

RANGERS EIGHTH

Adrian Beltre led off with a homer to right. Rangers 7, New York 2

Advertisement

NEW YORK EIGHTH

McCann homered. Rangers 7, New York 3

NEW YORK NINTH

Attempting to pitch a second inning, Matt Bush allowed a leadoff single to Rob Refsnyder and a walk to Jacoby Ellsbury. Sam Dyson then allowed a single on which Desmond kicked the ball, allowing Refsnyder to score. McCann then homered to tie the game. After Castro walked, Didi Gregorius homered. New York 9, Rangers 7