Rangers lose
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:26 am
Martinez can't save Rangers' makeshift lineup in loss
Rookie righty allows six earned runs;
Andrus' error proves costly
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said it was an easy ground ball.
"I just took my eyes off the ball," Andrus said. "It hit off the end of my glove. There are no excuses. I have to make that play and finish that inning."
The Rangers, in their current state, can't afford such glaring mistakes like that. They had rookie pitcher Nick Martinez on the mound. They had a makeshift lineup that featured Robinson Chirinos hitting in the fifth spot for the first time this season, Chris Gimenez making his first start of the season at first base and Adam Rosales being used at designated hitter for the third time in his career.
The Rangers need all the breaks they can get. Instead Andrus' error led to four runs in the fourth inning and allowed the Orioles to break open the game on their way to an 8-3 victory on Tuesday night at Camden Yards.
The Orioles hit three home runs off Martinez, but just as crucial was they turned three double plays behind their pitchers and Andrus couldn't turn the one that would have allowed the Rangers to escape fourth-inning trouble. Instead a two-run double by Nick Markakis turned out to be as big as the home runs.
MORE