Elvis Andrus takes plenty of criticism from Rangers fans, and it's mostly deserved.
For a guy making as much money as he does — $15 million this year with $103 million remaining and another $15 as a vesting option in 2023 — he has to play better than he has this year, and really in the last few years.
But Andrus, like several other Rangers, is actually swinging a pretty hot bat right now coming out of the all-star break. Over his last nine games, which includes before the break, Andrus is batting .333 with three doubles and five RBIs.
His biggest hit yet came on Wednesday afternoon when his two-run single in the top of the ninth gave the Rangers their deciding 10-8 margin of victory following a Tanner Scheppers implosion that allowed the Rockies to tie the game at 8-8 in the eighth inning.
''Really proud of Elvis' approach there,'' Banister told reporters. ''He didn't get too big with his swing, he seemed to simplify his approach and was able to get a ball through a drawn-in infield.''
It gave the Rangers their second win in as many days and their first series win since the beginning of the month, and it could be a jumping off point heading to Los Angeles to play the hottest team in baseball in the Angels looking to gain some ground in the AL West.
