Josh Hamilton has had plenty of success since returning home to Arlington with the Texas Rangers. The 2010 A.L. M.V.P. ended his first home series with the Rangers since 2012 in grand style, despite not starting on Sunday. Hamilton came through with a pinch-hit walk-off two-run double with two outs to lead the Rangers past the Boston Red Sox 4-3.
It was the third pinch-hit, walk-off double of the season, the other two belonging to the Cincinnati Reds. It's the first for the Rangers since September 8th, 1991. Hamilton achieved this feat when he pinch hit for Adam Rosales, who replaced Adrian Beltre after he injured his thumb in the fifth inning.
The injury occurred when he jammed his thumb while sliding into second base. Beltre will miss at least two weeks with a sprained and lacerated thumb.
Hanser Alberto got the rally started in his third career major league game, when he reached on a Pablo Sandoval error to begin the ninth inning. He would go on to score on Hamilton's game-winning knock. Prince Fielder scored the winning run after getting intentionally walked.
Manager Jeff Bannister was forced to watch the exciting finish from his office after he was ejected in the top of the ninth. Hamilton was not in the starting lineup after starting his first six games since rejoining the team. He recorded his eighth career walk-off hit on Sunday after going deep twice on Friday night.
It was his sixth game-winner for the Rangers, and first since May 26th, 2012.
With the win, the Rangers improve to 26-25, going over .500 for the first time since being 31-30 on June 6th of last year. They took the last three games of the series after dropping the opener. They will enjoy a day off on Monday before beginning a series at home against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
It was the third pinch-hit, walk-off double of the season, the other two belonging to the Cincinnati Reds. It's the first for the Rangers since September 8th, 1991. Hamilton achieved this feat when he pinch hit for Adam Rosales, who replaced Adrian Beltre after he injured his thumb in the fifth inning.
The injury occurred when he jammed his thumb while sliding into second base. Beltre will miss at least two weeks with a sprained and lacerated thumb.
Hanser Alberto got the rally started in his third career major league game, when he reached on a Pablo Sandoval error to begin the ninth inning. He would go on to score on Hamilton's game-winning knock. Prince Fielder scored the winning run after getting intentionally walked.
Manager Jeff Bannister was forced to watch the exciting finish from his office after he was ejected in the top of the ninth. Hamilton was not in the starting lineup after starting his first six games since rejoining the team. He recorded his eighth career walk-off hit on Sunday after going deep twice on Friday night.
It was his sixth game-winner for the Rangers, and first since May 26th, 2012.
With the win, the Rangers improve to 26-25, going over .500 for the first time since being 31-30 on June 6th of last year. They took the last three games of the series after dropping the opener. They will enjoy a day off on Monday before beginning a series at home against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
