So long, Lance? Texas Rangers may have seen Lynn’s last start as trade deadline nears
Was that the last of Lance Lynn for the Texas Rangers?
The right-hander who is a coveted trade target for contending teams, may have pitched his last game as a Ranger.
Lynn allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks over six innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers pegged him with his first loss of the season in a 7-4 win for the Dodgers on Saturday night at Globe Life Field.
Cody Bellinger’s two-run home run in the third gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead against Lynn. The Rangers answered with back-to-back homers by Ronald Guzman and rookie Leody Taveras (his first in the majors) on consecutive first-pitches in the bottom of the inning. The Dodgers added another run in the fifth on Max Muncy’s sacrifice fly to lead 4-2. Muncy’s three-run homer in the seventh against reliever Taylor Hearn gave the Dodgers a 7-3 lead.
Lynn (4-1) hadn’t allowed more than two runs (earned or unearned) in his seven previous starts this season. By the time he was through six innings, Lynn had thrown 110 pitches. He’s thrown more than 100 pitches in each of his eight starts this season, including at least 110 in three of his past four starts.
Lynn downplayed apprehension about the looming trade deadline.
“I’m always worried about the next start. So for me, I’m planning on my next start here and being a part of this team and being with the guys that I’m with right now, that I have been with for quite some time now, and I enjoy them,” he said. “So that’s all I can do. And whatever else happens, happens. And that’s just who and what I’m about. I’m here until I’m not, I’m never one step out the door.”
Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling, who attended Southlake Carroll and Texas A&M, allowed three runs over four innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.
Before the game, Rangers manager Chris Woodward lamented the idea that Saturday could potentially be Lynn’s last start for Texas. The trade deadline is at 3 p.m. Monday.
Multiple reports suggest Lynn is a top target for contending teams, including the Yankees, Braves, Padres White Sox and Dodgers. The Dodgers didn’t see Lynn’s best stuff Saturday night, but he entered the start 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA. It was Lynn’s fourth consecutive quality start and seventh in eight starts.
“If I was another team I’d want him, I know that,” Woodward said. “He is one of the best pitchers in baseball and he has been really good this year, he was good last year. If I was a contending team, in first place and wanting to win the World Series, that would be the guy I would look for. I hope he stays with us.”
Lynn has discussed the possibility of a move with Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.
“I told him that I came here for a reason, and came here to get a job done. And I’ve yet to do it. So I don’t want to leave something unfinished,” Lynn said. “But I also understand the business of baseball, and what it’s going to be, and I understand that if you can get prospects with high upside. I understand that. I’m not stupid. I am 33 years old. I’ve been around for a minute, and I know how the game works.”
Lynn said he’s appreciative of Daniels’ candor about the trade deadline, and also alluded to an unknown alternative resolution.
“I respect JD as much as anyone in this game because he’s not hiding behind any situation that there is; he’s making me aware of every possible situation that could be,” he said. “But there’s also, you know, some situations that might not be out in the public that we’ve been talking about, so hopefully we’ll see where it goes.”
This story was originally published August 29, 2020 at 10:40 PM.
