The Texas Rangers are returning to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2011.
Texas earned a 7-1 win in Game 3 to sweep the Baltimore Orioles, tying a franchise-best five-game postseason winning streak in part to another terrific outing from starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and its explosive offense.
“I saw a team that was really motivated,” manager Bruce Bochy told the media postgame. “The fans, they were so into it, and they came out swinging, but the story is Nate and the job he did out there on the mound to help set the tone.”
Eovaldi threw seven innings and allowed just one run while striking out seven and giving up five hits, and the offense supported his effort with six runs in the first two innings.
“For us to play the kind of ball we’ve been playing since we went to Tampa, and of course against Baltimore,” Bochy added, “I just told the guys it’s incredible how well they’ve been clicking in all facets of the game.”
Shortstop Corey Seager remained a thorn in the Orioles’ side as he opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first and drew two crucial walks later in the game, breaking the NL Division Series record for walks set by Barry Bonds in 2003.
The first walk set up a five-run second inning, loading the bases before Mitch Garver came through with a two-run double, and Adolis Garcia followed with a three-run home run to make it a 6-0 ballgame as Texas chased Baltimore starter Dustin Kremer after just an inning and two-thirds.
Baltimore got on the board in the fifth as Gunnar Henderson hit a two-out single up the middle to score Jordan Westburg.
Rangers’ reliever Aroldis Chapman ran into some trouble in the eighth, allowing the Orioles to load the bases with two outs. Chapman neutralized the threat by inducing a groundout from outfielder Aaron Hicks, and Jose LeClerc finished the game with a perfect ninth inning.
Texas moves on after eliminating Baltimore, which won 101 games during the regular season. With the loss, the three American League East teams to make the postseason (Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and Toronto) finished 0-7.
On Sunday, the Rangers will face the winner of the other American League Division Series (ALDS) between the Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins on the road, becoming the fourth team Bochy has taken to a Championship Series and his first in the American League.
“They’re all different in their own way, but they’re all special,” Bochy explained. “This is why you play the game. This is why I came back. You have those moments, the ups and downs, but to see those players celebrate, I couldn’t be happier for them, especially the ones that were here last year. …That’s the cool thing about this game and makes it all worthwhile.”
Injured starters Jon Gray and Max Scherzer may return for the next series.