ST. PETERSBURG -- He’s a journeyman catcher. But when the final story is written for the Rangers’ Austin Wynns, a 35-year-old on his eighth Major League club, Tuesday night’s 4-1 win against the Rays at Tropicana Field will be part of a special chapter.
Wynns, who signed as a Minor League free agent on June 23 and was starting just his second game for a Rangers team that has two catchers on the injured list, came up big in every way imaginable.
He worked expertly with right-hander Cal Quantrill, who retired the first 10 batters and had seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings against a contact-minded lineup. The Rangers led the whole way and four relievers finished the job.
In the fourth, after his catcher’s interference loaded the bases with one out, Wynns was part of an improbable double play. Chandler Simpson hit it back to the mound. Quantrill’s floater was nabbed by Wynns to force the lead runner, then Wynns whipped a throw to first and got Simpson, one of MLB’s fastest runners, by a step.
In the seventh inning, with the Rangers leading 2-1, Wynns delivered a one-out solo home run off reliever Steven Matz to provide breathing room.
“We’ve had a couple guys lately who have stepped up, kind of the unsung heroes, and it feels like it's almost a different person every game,’’ Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I know Wyatt [Langford] has carried us for a while when he came back, and Joc [Pederson] has been on a heater. But there has been big hit after big hit with some [other] guys. The homer by Austin Wynns was such a big home run in the moment.
“We’ve played against Austin. I know who he is, but haven’t known him personally until the last week or so. He had a really good offensive year [in the past], so I know it’s in there. But his calling card has been game-planning and navigating games. That’s where he did a really good job tonight.’’
Schumaker said he was particularly impressed by Wynns’ fourth-inning throw to double-up the speedy Simpson at first. After Wynns’ glove interfered with the swing from Cedric Mullins on a dribbler, Rays manager Kevin Cash said he had the option of letting the run score from third and taking the second out. He opted for a one-out, bases-loaded situation with Simpson at the plate. As it turned out, Simpson’s one-hop grounder to the mound was the best-case scenario for the Rangers.
“Not the best throw ever from Cal, but he got it to [Wynns], and it was an out,’’ Schumaker said. “Quite honestly, I thought [Wynns] was going to pump-fake it and look for the play at third. But he let it go. We didn’t think he had any chance [to get Simpson], but he got him. It was a great throw.’’
Quantrill said the double play was an obvious turning point, but Wynns’ work behind the plate was even more valuable.
“He’s a tried-and-true professional,’’ Quantrill said. “He has done this a long time. He has caught a lot of guys. I felt very confident that he had a great game plan. In our meeting before the game, I thought he was spot-on. Everything he said was kind of what I thought. I don’t think I shook him [off] once all game.’’
Wynns said the Rays were aggressive at the plate and he felt Quantrill had the appropriate answer.
“We took full advantage of that,’’ Wynns said. “Cal had a really good splitter today. It was on. So we let that ride and we sprinkled in the cutter. … The best and most important part of this game for me was being on the same page with Cal.’’
His seventh-inning homer? Wynns, a 2013 Draft pick, called it “just icing on the cake.’’ Wynns had been 4-for-53 with the Athletics and Braves this season before signing with the Rangers’ organization.
“I’m glad I contributed to the team,’’ Wynns said. “You can look at my track record. I’ve been a journeyman, but I know what I can bring to a club. This club is special. I just want to be on the same page and do whatever it takes for me to get to a World Series and win a championship.’’