ARLINGTON, Texas -- The runs are hard to obtain these days for the Texas Rangers.
Just eight runs came across during the previous four games. The Rangers lost three of them.
The offense was challenged again Friday night, but for a change, the Rangers produced more than their opponent and earned a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Park.
The Rangers ended a three-game losing streak and moved to 19-22 in one-run games. Atlanta, fighting for a playoff berth that’s becoming a tough challenge, is 29th in runs scored in the big leagues. When you review the Braves’ season, one of the main reasons they could fail to reach the postseason is the lack of run support.
The Rangers know all about a lack of run support, seeing as they are 24th in the big leagues in runs scored.
How it happened?: Robinson Chirinos, who missed the past 10 games with a stiff neck, returned to the lineup and delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to break a 1-1 tie. It was Chirinos’ first RBI since Aug. 24 against the Kansas City Royals.
Ryan Rua made a curious decision in the third inning that led to a deficit for the Rangers. With runners at the corners, Jason Heyward hit a bouncer to first and Rua held the ball anticipating B.J. Upton would head home from third. When that didn’t happen, Rua threw to second to get the force. But Upton’s speed allowed him to score the game’s first run after Rua committed to second.
The Rangers tied the game in the sixth when Rua picked up the seventh RBI of his young career as he bounced out to third, allowing pinch runner Guilder Rodriguez to score.
Holland is solid: Left-handed starter Derek Holland has been solid in his return from knee surgery. He threw seven innings, allowing just one run on eight hits. He struck out six in 113 pitches. Holland got a no-decision, but in three starts he’s given up just two runs and hasn’t walked a batter. Holland became just the second Rangers pitcher in franchise history to go at least seven innings and not walk a batter. Ferguson Jenkins also accomplished the feat in 1975.
Fielding follies: The Rangers had two fielding miscues Friday night. Right fielder Michael Choice lost a fly ball in the lights to allow Freddie Freeman to reach on a single. More issues occurred in the third inning. Holland had Heyward picked off first and Rua chased him to second. But after a throw to Elvis Andrus, Heyward ran back to first. Rua didn’t get back in the path of the runner to take the throw, nor did Holland. So Heyward dove back safely into first.
Bases-loaded issues: When you don’t have much in the lineup, you must take advantage of opportunities. The Rangers loaded the bases in the fourth inning but failed to get anything out of it. Rougned Odor grounded out to second on the first pitch from left-hander Alex Wood to end the inning. Andrus did the same thing in Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
What’s next?: RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (0-0, 7.36) makes his first major league start vs. RHP Julio Teheran (13-11, 3.00) at 12:05 p.m. CT Saturday in the second game of the series.