Eovaldi's bases-loaded K, Pederson's HR and 9th-inning relay key in win

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers know how important every game is going forward this season.

Just days removed from a Trade Deadline in which they added very little to the big league roster, the Rangers are back to .500 once again after Friday night’s 2-1 victory over the Orioles at Globe Life Field.

The players in that clubhouse are well aware that in a division like the American League West -- where no team has truly separated itself -- or even in the AL Wild Card standings -- where the third spot is up for grabs -- each one of these remaining 46 games could be the difference between the postseason and being at home in October.

“They all matter,” said designated hitter Joc Pederson, whose two-run homer secured the win. “You gotta bring it every day, no matter who you're playing. You're going to face guys like that that have really good stuff and command the ball. We didn't play our best game offensively, but we were still able to squeak out a win. Our pitching staff did a great job holding a good team to one run. That's what good teams do -- you pick each other up and try to find ways to stack wins.”

Here are the three key plays in the Rangers' series-opening win over the Orioles:

Eovaldi’s bases-loaded strikeout

Nathan Eovaldi was in a jam of his own creation.

The Rangers co-ace had allowed back-to-back two-out singles to the Orioles’ eight- and nine-hole hitters Colton Cowser and Carlos Narváez. Then he walked Gunnar Henderson, leaving the bases loaded for Pete Alonso.

But if there’s anything Eovaldi does well, it’s getting out of his own jams. Eovaldi placed a 2-2 splitter right where he wanted it, freezing Alonso for a called strike three to end the inning and strand the runners.

“I think the other at-bats kind of led up to it,” Eovaldi said. “We were able to stick to the game plan and the way we wanted to attack him. When that third at-bat came around, I hadn't really shown him many of my other pitches, so I was able to rely on the splitter in that big situation. Luckily we came out on top there.”

That bases-loaded strikeout may have been the biggest moment of the night. Eovaldi allowed a run in the second inning, but managed to keep the Orioles at bay for much of the evening, while his own offense scuffled against Shane Baz.

By leaving the bases loaded and keeping Baltimore from adding to its lead, Eovaldi kept the Rangers within one run at a pivotal point.

“I thought the cutter usage was brilliant tonight,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “The back door to lefties, up and in to lefties. The splitter is always going to be his pitch, but I thought the usage of the cutter was the reason why you know he was so effective, especially against a really good left-hand hitting lineup.”

Pederson's homer

The Rangers ultimately won thanks to a go-ahead two-run homer from Pederson in the sixth inning, as he continued his latest heater. Texas was outhit by Baltimore, 7-3, but Pederson’s homer off Baz made all the difference.

In 56 games in the leadoff spot this season, Pederson has hit .284/.356/.635, setting up his dramatic bounceback season.

“Oh gosh, man, Joc has been incredible,” Schumaker said. “We were scuffling offensively. We got nothing going. … His comeback season has been gigantic for us, and he showed up again today. We got that game because of Joc.”

Ninth-inning relay

Rangers closer Jacob Latz notched his team-leading 22nd save of the season in the win, covering the final two innings, marking his sixth save of six or more outs this season. But he wouldn’t have been able to finish it off without the defense behind him preventing the game-tying run from scoring.

When he came back out for the ninth inning, Latz allowed a single to former teammate Leody Taveras. After Coby Mayo struck out, rookie Christian Franklin ripped his first MLB hit down the right-field line that should have tied the game.

Instead, Taveras was caught at the plate by a phenomenal 9-4-2 relay between Brandon Nimmo, Nicky Lopez and Elias Díaz to preserve the lead and set up a Rangers victory. After a lengthy review, the out call at the plate stood.

“It's do or die, you know,” Díaz said. “That's all that was on my mind. I got one job, and I executed.”

“That pick by Díaz, the in-between hop, that is not an easy play with a really fast runner on top of you,” Schumaker explained. “It's a bang-bang play, really good relay by Nim. Obviously, a good throw, a strong throw by Lopez. You don't see that play made too often by a catcher, and it was just obviously a game-saving play.”