Moreland Finally Gets His Slam

Last season, Mitch Moreland accomplished something all big-leaguers dream of doing. He hit a grand slam against then-Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Shortly thereafter, the rains came and washed the game out meaning none of the stats would stand.

So when Moreland stepped to the plate on Wednesday night in the fourth inning with the bases full, he made one count as he took former teammate Tommy Hunter deep to right field to make a 4-1 game an 8-1 blowout en route to a 12-3 Rangers win.

And as soon as he got back to the dugout, his teammates were jokingly bringing up that sore spot in Moreland's memory from last season.

There hasn't been much bad for Moreland this season since he returned from the disabled list 22 games ago. During that time, Moreland is hitting .328 with four doubles, three home runs and 13 RBIs while working to further solidify his standing with the club as their first baseman of the future — a role the front office seems to be in favor of letting Moreland try to fulfill.

Moreland took a lot of heat last season for his second-half struggles, but then it came out that he had been playing with a wrist injury that ended up requiring off-season surgery. The man is starting to show he can hit, and he's definitely the best defensive first baseman the Rangers have. Still not positive he's the "first baseman of the future", but he's certainly the best thing they have right now.

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