Josh Hamilton has dealt with off-the-field issues for most of his career, from injuries to drug problems, but has had the most success as a member of the Texas Rangers. Because of that, it only made sense that the Los Angeles Angels would trade him back to Texas, giving him the opportunity to relive that success, which is something he desperately needs.
He has taken full advantage of that opportunity since making his season debut off the disabled list on Monday in Cleveland. It was a happy and emotional return to Arlington on Thursday, his first home game since his return. Despite the fact that Eduardo Rodriguez's dominant debut overpowered Hamilton's homecoming, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win, the Rangers' outfielder would call his home debut a success.
He returned to Texas a month and a day after being reacquired by Texas and overcame a 1-for-11 start to his season. He went 2-for-4 on Thursday night, including lining a double down the right field line on the first pitch he saw in the second inning. He knocked in the Rangers' only run of the game, as his ninth-inning RBI single ended Boston's shutout bid.
Friday night was even more of a success, as Hamilton looked like the 2010 A.L. M.V.P. that he once was. He went deep in his first two at-bats of the night in the Rangers' 7-4 win over Boston. The home runs were his first two since his season debut, both off of knuckleballer Steven Wright.
Both home runs were pulled into the right-field seats in the second and fourth innings, on pitches measured at 74 and 66 mph. Hamilton says the home runs give him a sense of relief after dominating with Texas from 2008-2012.
Friday was the former MVP's ninth career multi-homer game, and his first since July of 2013 with the Angels. It was his first home run with the Rangers since September of 2012. After going hitless in his first nine at-bats of the season, Hamilton is now 5-for-12 with two multi-hit games. After more troubles off the field, Hamilton has been handed yet another chance and seems to be making the most of it.
He has taken full advantage of that opportunity since making his season debut off the disabled list on Monday in Cleveland. It was a happy and emotional return to Arlington on Thursday, his first home game since his return. Despite the fact that Eduardo Rodriguez's dominant debut overpowered Hamilton's homecoming, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win, the Rangers' outfielder would call his home debut a success.
He returned to Texas a month and a day after being reacquired by Texas and overcame a 1-for-11 start to his season. He went 2-for-4 on Thursday night, including lining a double down the right field line on the first pitch he saw in the second inning. He knocked in the Rangers' only run of the game, as his ninth-inning RBI single ended Boston's shutout bid.
Friday night was even more of a success, as Hamilton looked like the 2010 A.L. M.V.P. that he once was. He went deep in his first two at-bats of the night in the Rangers' 7-4 win over Boston. The home runs were his first two since his season debut, both off of knuckleballer Steven Wright.
Both home runs were pulled into the right-field seats in the second and fourth innings, on pitches measured at 74 and 66 mph. Hamilton says the home runs give him a sense of relief after dominating with Texas from 2008-2012.
Friday was the former MVP's ninth career multi-homer game, and his first since July of 2013 with the Angels. It was his first home run with the Rangers since September of 2012. After going hitless in his first nine at-bats of the season, Hamilton is now 5-for-12 with two multi-hit games. After more troubles off the field, Hamilton has been handed yet another chance and seems to be making the most of it.
