Gallo’s bat helps lead Rangers past Athletics
Three-run homer, two-run single on 0-2 pitch are key.
In the sixth inning Sunday afternoon, with the count 0-2, Joey Gallo lined a fastball that was up and away from him into right field for a two-run, break-the-game open single.
If you, astute baseball fan, were sitting at Globe Life Park in Arlington, or at home watching, you probably thought: “Wow, is that the first time that guy has ever gotten a hit after getting down 0-2?”
And you probably thought that knowing that maybe, just maybe, you were exaggerating a little.
Turns out you weren’t. Not at all.
The biggest moment in the Rangers’ 8-1 win over Oakland was Gallo’s bases-loaded single off 98 mph gas from Frankie Montas. As Gallo tries to shake free from obsessing about trying not to strike out, it was a bigger moment in his career. It hammered home keeping his focus on what he can do, rather than what might happen. In that regard, it was a bigger moment than the three-run homer hit in the second inning or the fact he walked away with a careerhigh five RBIs.
It was the first hit of his career — yes, career — after falling behind 0-2. He entered the day 0 for 42 with 38 strikeouts after falling behind 0-2.
Gallo promised he would not worry as much about strikeouts this year.
“When I get to two strikes, I’m not really panicking,” Gallo said. “I’m not saying ‘I can’t get there. I can’t strike out.’ I’m not really scared of the situation. I’ve taken some pressure off myself. I’ve allowed myself to be human.”
Which may allow him to actually better show his more superhuman feats of strength.
He showed those early in the game, blasting a firstpitch fastball from lefty Sean Manaea 400 feet into a 20 mph wind that was blowing from right to left. He powered the ball through the wind and into the rightfield stands for a three-run homer that gave the Rangers the lead. It was his second homer of the season’s first week and his first major league hit off a lefty since June 27, 2015.
If you are getting the impression that maybe we are suggesting this Joey Gallo is a bit different than the one you’ve seen previously, well, then you are getting the hint. At least, that’s what the Rangers are hinting at.
“We talk about being stubborn with an approach,” manager Jeff Banister said. “There are times you can get negative results and get off your approach. He has allowed himself to forget about the results of the last at-bat and just focus on the at-bat in front of him.
“He’s not worried about getting to two strikes,” Banister added. “He understands he’s a big guy with big power and he’s going to strike out. He’s not over-analyzing any single at-bat. It’s not the end of the game for him.”