Garcia’s bases-clearing triple paces win
ARLINGTON — Adolis Garcia highlighted a threehit, four-rbi outing with a bases-clearing triple in the third inning to help the Texas Rangers beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Sunday.
Taylor Hearn (1-2) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks in five innings for his first victory since Sept. 12 of last season.
The Rangers scored all seven runs in the first three innings to go 3-4 in a homestand against last year's World Series teams — 2-1 vs. Atlanta and 1-3 against the Houston Astros. The Braves have lost two straight for the fifth time this season, their longest losing streak.
“It was nice to have a lead and keep it,” said Rangers third baseman Charlie Culberson, a Georgia native and former Braves player. “Nice to win a series.”
The Rangers took advantage of wildness by Dallas native Kyle Muller (0-1), who was recalled from Triple-a Gwinnett and made his first start of the season. Muller walked six and allowed four singles in 22⁄3 innings to go with two stolen bases allowed and a wild pitch. Texas scored earlier in the inning on a safety-squeeze bunt by Culberson.
“Nothing seemed to go
his way,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “(Still) I see improvement over last year.”
Muller gave way to Jesse Chavez with two out and the bases loaded in the third inning. Garcia lined a 2-2 sinker to the opposite field that right fielder Travis Demeritte failed to catch or trap on a dive. The ball rolled to the wall to score three.
One of Muller's walks came on a check swing by Eli White in the second inning. When Braves pitching
coach Rick Krantz visited the mound after White walked, he chatted with home plate umpire Cory Blaser, was ejected and their conversation continued and became heated. Muller didn't want to discuss the ball-strike calls.
“That's up to anyone's discretion,” he said. “I'm not going to put that on anybody. I could have made better pitches, and it wouldn't have even been an issue.”
Hearn — from Royse City, about 50 miles east of
Arlington — matched a season high with five innings and threw a seasonmost 89 pitches. Rangers starters have won consecutive starts for the first time this season.
Dansby Swanson went 2 for 4 with a double to the warning track in center field that was part of the Braves' two-run third inning and added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
The announced sellout crowd of 38,316 — which included former President George W. Bush — was the largest at Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020 and began accommodating full capacity last year. The previous mark was the 2021 opening day gathering of 38,238.
Odds and ends
Rangers catcher Jonah Heim returned from the paternity list. Texas lefthander Kolby Allard was optioned to Triple-a
Round Rock. Righthander Josh Sborz (elbow) made his second rehab outing for Round Rock on Sunday, throwing 24 pitches in 12⁄3innings . ... With the Braves' recall of Muller, righthander Bryce Elder, a resident of nearby Decatur who started Saturday night's game, was optioned to Triple-a Gwinnett (Ga.). Elder won his big-league debut April 12 then lost three straight and allowed seven runs in 12 innings.