The Rangers scored two runs on a wild ninth-inning strikeout
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It's an old baseball cliche: With runners on base, the batter simply wants to get the run in. Usually, that comes in the form of a base hit or sacrifice fly. But the Rangers benefitted from the always rare two-run strikeout in Wednesday's 5-1 victory over the Mariners.
Leading, 1-0, in the top of the ninth, Texas loaded the bases with two outs when Ronald Guzmán struck out on Marc Rzepczynski's slider. Only problem: The ball got away from catcher David Freitas, so Jurickson Profar raced home. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, looking alert, also turned on the burners when Freitas tried to throw out Guzman at first base.
"I saw the ball and went by and I took off," Guzman said. "I'm glad it went far enough for me to get to first base because I am a slow runner."
Kiner-Falefa, who was a Minor League catcher before becoming a utility infielder for the Rangers, used his years of experience behind the dish to help him as he rounded the bases. "Being a catcher myself, I knew that was a possibility," the rookie said. "I was running hard and made a good turn around third. I just wanted to make sure he let go of the ball."
One strikeout, no outs, two runs. That's the kind of math that won't work in any classroom, but does on the ballfield.