The Texas Rangers are heading back to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2011.
The Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 in Game 3 of their ALDS on Tuesday to complete the sweep.
Outfielder Adolis García provided the big swing for the Rangers, hitting a three-run homer in the second inning off Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer to make it 6-0.
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi was excellent again for Texas. Eovaldi held the Orioles to one run on five hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts, earning his second win of the postseason and lowering his ERA to 1.32 over two starts.
The Rangers are a perfect 5-0 in the postseason, outscoring opponents 32-12.
“It’s a matter of getting hot,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal following the game. “These guys got hot after a really tough series there in Seattle. Couldn’t quite get it done there. Had to go to Tampa. These guys put that behind them. They’ve been doing that all year.”
The series victory makes Bochy the seventh manager in MLB postseason history to reach the league championship series with three or more franchises, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
With the Orioles’ loss, AL East teams finish the 2023 postseason with a 0-7 record.
“We were supposed to win 76 games. Won 101, won the American League East. Really proud of our group. They defied all the odds. Nobody gave us a chance,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said, according to The Associated Press. “These guys played their butts off for six months. We just didn’t play well for these last three, unfortunately.”
After finishing the regular season seventh in team ERA, Orioles pitchers struggled against the Rangers, allowing 21 earned runs on 30 hits in 26 innings.
It’s the first time the Orioles have been swept in a series since May 13-15, 2022, against the Detroit Tigers.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Orioles outfielder Austin Hays said, according to the Baltimore Banner’s Danielle Allentuck. “It’s the worst loss I’ve ever experience(d).”
The Rangers will play the winner of the other ALDS between the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins.
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