Texas Rangers slugger Joc Pederson might not fit the mold of a traditional leadoff hitter, but there’s no denying that he’s been a perfect fit since moving into the role.
Pederson has been on a tear for the Rangers, who aim to complete a sweep of their three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
Texas scored three runs in the ninth inning on Tuesday to secure its season-best fifth straight victory with a 7-4 win over St. Louis.
“That might have been the most complete team win we’ve had all season,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “Small ball, situational hitting, you name it. We did the job tonight, and I think that’s how you get on these streaks.”
Pederson had three hits in the win, including two doubles and a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth. The power-hitting veteran is batting .300 (10-for-30) with five homers and 10 RBIs over his last eight games.
Pederson, 34, was hitting .225 with five extra-base hits before moving into the leadoff spot on May 12.
“Joc at the top of the order has felt dangerous again,” Schumaker said. “He’s getting on base at a high clip and he is slugging. We needed slug at the top of the lineup and he’s provided it.”
St. Louis is looking for answers after losing seven of its last nine games. The Cardinals went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 baserunners in Tuesday’s loss.
“You have to execute at a really high level to win a big league game, and we didn’t do that,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “We didn’t deserve to win that game.”
One bright spot was third baseman Nolan Gorman, who hit a solo homer in the fourth inning. Marmol is exercising patience with Gorman, who is hitting .209 with seven homers.
“All of the things that we talk about when he’s doing well — less chase, more contact — and he’s still walking, at an 11% clip or so,” Marmol said. “Those things are the things that need to take place in order to get him back on track. Opportunity is being given at the moment.”
Right-hander Andre Pallante (5-4, 4.19 ERA) will take the mound for St. Louis in the series finale. He allowed four runs on eight hits over a season-low three innings in a no-decision against the visiting Chicago Cubs last Friday.
Brandon Nimmo has one hit in 15 at-bats against Pallante, 27, who is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in two career games (one start) versus the Rangers.
Texas will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore (4-4, 3.96), who gave up four hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a 9-1 home win over the Kansas City Royals last Friday.
Gore, 27, has gone 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA and a 17-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last four outings covering 21 1/3 innings.
Masyn Winn is 5-for-11 (.455) with a home run against Gore, who is 1-2 with a 7.00 ERA in five career starts versus St. Louis.
–Field Level Media
