Star Rookie for the Texas Rangers Finally Hits His First Career Home Run
Following the Rangers’ 4-3 victory, Langford remarked, “I thought I did (hit it out).” “I was a little slow out of the box because of this.” Nevertheless, this drive came up short of the wall, much like a few cautionary track shots this season.
The outfielder with a right-handed swing knocked the ball into the alley in right-center field. Stuart Fairchild, center fielder for the Reds, and Jake Fraley, right fielder, shared it. Then something unexpected occurred. The ball slid past Fraley after caromed off the bullpen’s sloped wall, which had the 374 marker at the top. From the corner of his eye, Langford saw as he got closer to second.
“Man, that ball kicked really funny,” Langford remarked as he glanced over.
Langford then activated the jets. Pitcher Dane Dunning of the Rangers stated that he normally doesn’t pay attention when the team is hitting. Seated on the bench, he makes an effort to remain imprisoned. However, he was unable to ignore what was taking place. He knew his fellow Floridian was up, and he got up to see his teammates get giddy.
Dunning said, “I witnessed it strike the wall.” “Oh, that’s going to be a double or a triple,” I thought.
Bruce Bochy, manager of the Rangers, was more definite.
“I knew that was going to be an inside-the-parker after the way it hit the wall,” Bochy recalled.
Instead of slipping like he did in a game earlier in this homestand, Langford raced around second this time. Tony Beasley waved him home as he reached third base.
There was no stopping Langford by the time Fraley raced it down and tossed it to Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. He grinned broadly as he crossed home plate, looking relieved as well as happy. According to Langford, “I feel like I’ve had a bunch of (well-hit) balls; it was just a matter of getting that first one.” “I got it in a peculiar manner.”
With his first Major League home run of his career, Langford became the fourth player in Rangers history to hit a home run inside the park. He became teammates with Josh Smith (July 11, 2022), Marc Sagmoen (April 17, 1997), and Craig Gentry (Sept. 23, 2011).
In the clubhouse, Smith and Langford are the next-door neighbors. It turned out that his home run was what won the game. After that, Texas led 4-0 and the Rangers were unable to score again.
At last, Langford can look back on that accomplishment. However, he lost the baseball soon after the game. I suppose they understood, Langford remarked. “I’m not positive if they actually did. For the time being, I’ll probably just store it in my locker.”