The Texas Rangers blew a four-run lead on Wednesday night to drop their first series against the Houston Astros since 2008.
After you let that fact sink in for a bit, take a look at what the meat of the Rangers' order did in that heartbreaking losing effort.
The Nos. 2-4 hitters — Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder — combined to go 7-for-13 with three RBIs and three runs scored. No. 5 hitter Alex Rios had just one hit, but it was a home run that gave the Rangers an early lead they eventually surrendered in the final two innings.
Andrus and Fielder are both on hot streaks over the past week, and Fielder in particular is beginning to come up big in clutch situations as he's decided to start going opposite field to beat the defensive shift teams often employ against him, and it's working.
So, if you're looking for something positive from Wednesday's game — I know, it's darn-near impossible — you can hope the Rangers' batting order is starting to come together like we'd all envisioned. Now, if Shin-Soo Choo could get back to hitting and getting on base like he had all year until the last week or so, the Rangers will be in business.
