Marcus Semien played a pivotal role in guiding the Texas Rangers to a resounding 15-run victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.
In Monday’s matchup, Texas secured an impressive 15-8 win, characterized by a robust offensive display. Despite facing challenges with injuries in the pitching rotation, the Rangers’ offense has remained potent, contributing significantly to the team’s performance. Semien took charge in Tuesday’s game, delivering an exceptional performance at the plate. He went 4-for-5, including a home run, five RBI, three runs scored, and accumulated eight total bases. Remarkably, he came just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle by the second inning.
The entire lineup showcased remarkable efforts against the Athletics. Jonah Heim also contributed with four hits, while Leody Taveras, Corey Seager, Nathaniel Lowe, and Josh Smith all produced multi-hit performances.
Following the victory, Semien commented on the team’s offensive prowess, emphasizing the momentum carried over from the previous night’s game. He highlighted the team’s readiness to score runs and emphasized the positive momentum in baseball.
"Baseball works like that" – Wise words from the veteran Marcus Semien
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/wuVjyHsces— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) May 7, 2024
Marcus Semien, Rangers Confident During Dominant Win Against Athletics
Semien has experienced a fluctuating 2024 season thus far, but his standout performance on Tuesday may serve as a catalyst for him to regain his form from his All-Star year in 2023.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy commented on the team’s impressive offensive outburst, expressing satisfaction with their ability to break out. Bochy highlighted the numerous positive aspects of the game and emphasized the significance of several key hits.
Bochy specifically acknowledged Semien’s role in sparking the team’s success, indicating that the infielder played a pivotal part in getting things rolling for the Rangers.
Rangers Surging Up Standings
With a 21-16 record, the Texas Rangers find themselves in a tight battle with the Seattle Mariners for the top spot in the American League West. Currently, the Rangers hold a narrow half-game lead over the Mariners. Surprisingly, the Oakland Athletics sit in third place, defying expectations for a struggling season. Even more unexpected is that both the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels have worse records than the Athletics at this point in the season.
Despite the competitive landscape, the Rangers remain focused on winning the division title. Led by Marcus Semien and his recent standout performance, the team aims to maintain their momentum as they prepare for Wednesday’s rematch against the Athletics.