Mike Adams took over for the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning, which wasn't big news since that's what Adams does. He's been the best eighth-inning guy for a while. Or maybe the best guy, period.
Rays vs. Rangers: Desmond Jennings’ Second HR Makes It 4-3
Buck Martinez in the booth, before Adams had thrown a pitch:
Mike Adams has been the best relief pitcher in baseball over the last three seasons. He is first in ERA, he is first in WHIP, he is first in holds, he is an eighth-inning, shutdown guy. He comes in and, generally, has 1-2-3 innings and never allows the offense to get back into the game ... The slider is his money pitch.
There’s been just one Achilles’ heel, though: Home Runs.
Adams has pitched wonderfully since joining the Rangers in late July, except for one blot: in 26 innings, he gave up three home runs. That’s not a dramatic number; rather, it’s been the only small chink in Adams’ considerable armor.
Desmond Jennings led off the eighth for Tampa Bay. Adams left a pitch over the plate. Jennings, for the second time today, launched it over the left-field fence for a solo home run. Where his first homer had put the Rays ahead by one run, his second pulled them to within one run.
One non-Achilles’ heel? Walks. Adams doesn’t walk hitters. Well, that’s not literally true. Adams was a little off his game in September, and did walk one hitter.
After giving up that homer to Jennings, Adams walked three in a row, and the bases weren't loaded only because the first walker, B.J. Upton, got busted trying to steal second base. Adams is out, and Mike Gonzalez is in...
Still in the bottom of the eighth, it’s Rangers 4, Rays 3.
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