The Major League Baseball (MLB) Texas Rangers have two Cy Young Award-winning ace pitchers. But there’s a pitcher who’s been dominating the team in fall ball. It’s Nathan Eovaldi, 33.
Texas defeated the Houston Astros 9-2 in Game 6 of the 2023 American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Sunday at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, to even the series at three games apiece.
The comeback victory pushed the series to Game 7. If Texas advances to the World Series (WS), it will be the third time in franchise history and the first time in 12 years. Texas made back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 (against San Francisco) and 2011 (against St. Louis), but had to settle for a runner-up finish.
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the second inning, Mitch Garber’s solo shot tied the game, and Jonah Heim’s two-run homer in the top of the fourth gave Texas a 3-1 lead. Then, with a 4-2 lead in the top of the ninth, Corey Seager hit a bases-loaded single and Adolis Garcia hit a grand slam to put the game out of reach.
Despite the three-homer performance from the offense, it was Iboldi who led Texas to victory. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts to earn the win. His counterpart, Houston starter Framber Valdes, was no match for Iboldi, who went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts.
Iboldi put runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the first after Jose Altuve singled and Michael Brantley walked. One out later, he gave up a single up the middle to Jordan Alvarez to give up the go-ahead run. However, he settled down in the second inning after getting out of the inning without further damage. In the second and fourth innings, he retired the side in order, and in the third inning, he threatened again with two walks, but got out of the jam by getting big man Jose Abreu to ground out to shortstop.
Iboldi allowed one more run in the sixth inning. Singles by Alvarez and Abreu put runners on first and second, and an infield grounder and Mauricio Duvon’s sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 3-2. But he was able to keep the fire from spreading by getting Jeremy Peña to ground out to shortstop on the first pitch. 굿모닝토토
Iboldi was back on the mound in the seventh, and after getting one out, he gave up a single to Jose Altuve. The Texas bench then pulled Iboldi and brought in Josh Svotz. He lived up to expectations, inducing a grounder to Brantley, the first batter he faced, on five pitches to keep Iboldi off the board. He was followed by Jose LeClerc and Andrew Heaney, who got the final two outs to preserve the win.
According to MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, Texas manager Bruce Bochy said of Iboldi’s pitching, “He’s done that a couple times. He’s got good stuff, and he’s got great reactions. He’s a guy we need,” he said.
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