Rangers vs. Nationals: 3-game set
- Anthony Gambardella
- May 25, 2023
- 2 min read
The Rangers finally took the field for the first time this season and didn't appear to have much rust on either end. Derek Astarita was dominate for Texas, tossing a one-hit shutout bid in game one, coupled with a 4-6 performance at the plate and driving in the only run of the contest. Astarita showed impressive command of his two-pitch mix, striking out four in his first outing of the year. Nolan Rivera and Tyler Barreiro each added two hits, providing plenty of intrigue around this Rangers' lineup early on. On the other end, Bobby Gambardella was nothing short of productive on the mound for the Nationals. The 3x MVP struck out five through six frames and also didn't allow a single earned run. In a classic WBA pitchers' duel, the Rangers came out on top, starting their season off with a victory (Rangers 1, Nationals 0).
The Nationals bounced back in game two, striking first in the run column primarily due to some command issues from Nolan Rivera. Opposing Rivera, was Anthony Gambardella who allowed seven hits throughout the game but managed to get out of several jams and hold the Rangers scoreless. On the offensive end, Bobby Gambardella launched a two-run homer in the top of the sixth, which provided Washington with a little insurance. No Rangers were able to cross home as they fell in the second game of the series. Andrew DePascale posted a 4-7 performance at the plate but it wasn't enough to secure the Rangers another win (Nationals 3, Rangers 0).
Derek Astarita toed the rubber once again in game three, where hits were at less of a premium. Astarita struck out another four batters through his second set of six innings. He had another potent performance at the plate as well, going 4-9 with two long balls and three RBIs. The Gambardella brothers split the duties on the mound and combined for five hits and a homer with the bat. The game came down to the bottom of the sixth inning where the Rangers held a 3-2 lead. Anthony Gambardella was at-bat with two outs in the final frame and his brother on deck, who was itching for a chance to walk it off. A line drive to the right-side at first looked like a clear single but Tyler Barreiro made perhaps one of the greatest catches in WBA history. Barreiro stuck his foot out to lift the ball off the ground right before it hit the playing surface, kicked the ball up to himself and secured the catch. Bobby Gambardella was left helpless in the on-deck circle as the Rangers celebrated their second win of the season. The final game of the season-series between these two clubs may be a crucial one in regards to seeding when we reach the end of the regular season (Rangers 3, Nationals 2).
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