Heim Homers as Rangers Edge Orioles

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

July 21, 2024

Rangers 3, Orioles 2

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Jul 21) — The Texas Rangers salvaged their three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, beating them 3–2 on Sunday afternoon. A three-run homer by Jonah Heim in the fourth gave the Rangers all the offense they needed in the series finale and sent the crowd of 31,808 home happy. With this series in the books, the Rangers will now focus their attention on the Chicago White Sox, who are coming to town for a four-game set. That series will begin on Monday evening with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Erick Fedde (7–3, 2.99 ERA) will get the ball for the White Sox, while righty Michael Lorenzen (5–5, 3.52) will take the mound for the Rangers.

The Orioles, meanwhile, will head to Florida to begin a three-game set against the Miami Marlins starting on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm Eastern at loanDepot Park. Right-hander Albert Suarez (5–3, 2.82 ERA) will take the hill for the Orioles, while the Marlins have yet to announce their starting pitcher for the series opener.

Nine for Heim

Both teams traded zeroes for the first three innings. The Rangers took a 3–0 lead in the top of the fourth off Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer. After Josh Smith was called out on strikes to start the inning, Wyatt Langford drew a walk. He advanced to second on another walk to Nathaniel Lowe moments after Adolis Garcia flied to second. That brought up Heim, who hit a dramatic home run to right-center. This gave the Rangers their first lead of the series. It was the ninth long ball of the season for Heim.

The Orioles cut the lead to 3–2 in the top of the eighth off Rangers reliever David Robertson. Adley Rutschman drew a free pass after Gunnar Henderson struck out swinging to lead off the frame. On deck was Anthony Santander, who hit a two-run homer to right, his 27th of the season. Santander also homered in the series opener on Friday.

What Went Right for the Rangers

Getting the lead and keeping it loomed large for the Rangers on Sunday. Heim was due for a homer as well. He has struggled at the plate this year, hitting .237. His teammates were excited for him when he returned to the Rangers’ dugout after his lap around the bases. Their pitching staff did their job as well, holding this potent Orioles lineup to two runs on the afternoon.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

Things were moving along smoothly until the eighth when Robertson gave up the two-run blast to Santander. Everyone in the ballpark squirmed in their seats with the same uneasiness that they’ve been feeling over the past few weeks. The bullpen, however, didn’t let things get out of hand. They were able to shut the door on the Orioles so that Pat Green’s “I Like Texas” could blare over the loudspeaker at Globe Life Field, signifying a Rangers win.

Rare Run Support for Heaney

Rangers lefty Andrew Heaney earned the win after logging five scoreless innings in his first start since the All-Star break. His line on the afternoon was 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 SO, 100 pitches/61 strikes. Heaney’s record improves to 4–10 with an ERA of 3.60. He threw a season-high 100 pitches. That is the second time he has reached a triple-digit pitch count as a Ranger. Heaney is 4–7 with a 2.81 ERA in 14 starts since the beginning of May to drop his season ERA from 6.26 to 3.60.

He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in all 14 starts over that span, which is the longest such streak of his career and the longest by a Rangers starting pitcher in a single season since Kyle Gibson from 4/7-7/2/21. According to Stathead, Heaney is the fourth left-handed pitcher in franchise history to permit three or fewer earned runs over 14+ consecutive starts. Right-hander Kirby Yates tossed a spotless ninth with two strikeouts to earn his 17th save of the year.

Tremor for Kremer

Orioles starter Dean Kremer made his 13th start of the season in Sunday’s series finale and shouldered his 6th loss after allowing three runs, all earned, over his 5 1/3 innings. His record is now 4–6 with an ERA of 4.43. He fired three scoreless frames to begin his outing before surrendering the three-run shot to Heim to break the scoreless deadlock in the fourth. Kremer exited with one out in the sixth, runners on the corners, and the Orioles down 3–0, giving way to Bryan Baker, who stranded both runners by inducing an inning-ending double play. Sunday was Kremer’s longest outing in over two months, last working five-plus innings on May 12 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He pitched 5 2/3 innings in that start. Over five career starts against the Rangers, including the postseason, Kremer is 0–3 with a 7.15 ERA.

Postseason Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy echoed the sentiments of every Ranger fan in attendance as he exhaled deeply before sitting down in the interview room. “The last thing you want to do is get swept here at home,” Bochy said. “They had their way with us the first two games, so you’re trying to stop things. This was a good win for us, and for Andrew (Heaney). It was important that we got him some runs to work with. This is a big homestand for us, so it’s good that we have a little momentum with the White Sox coming to town.”