How a batting glove cost the Rangers a potential rally in Game 4 of the ALCS
The Texas Rangers’ all star second baseman Marcus Semien usually helps the team win with his glove.
Semien was one of five Rangers named as finalists for the Gold Glove Award for his defense during the 2023 season.
However, it was Semien’s batting gloves that cost the Rangers a potential multi-run rally Thursday during the Rangers’ 10-3 loss in Game 4 of the American League Championship series against the Houston Astros. at Globe Life Field.
Trailing 7-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Rangers appeared set to rally.
Semien was on first base and Leody Taveras second with nobody out when Corey Seager hit a line drive directly to Astros first baseman Jose Abreu.
Abreu then raced toward the bag, attempting to tag Semien for a double play.
Semien dove back to first and initially was called safe. However, on replay review it was revealed Abreu gently grazed the hem of Semien’s batting gloves as they flopped out of his back pocket.
The call was overturned and ruled a double play.
The Rangers’ Evan Carter then lined out to end the inning. And the potential big inning was over.
“I’ve been keeping my gloves in the back of my pocket my entire career, and that’s never happened before so in the ALCS it happens,” Semien said after the game Thursday. “It’s tough.”
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy called the play “buzzard luck” saying he initially believed Semien had avoided the tag.
“I guess he nicked him. That’s part of the game now, replay, and it worked out for them,” Bochy said.
That was a huge play for the Astros, manager Dusty Baker said in the postgame press conference.
“That ball was smoked by Seager, and he continues to hit hard, but we had a little luck going for us,” Baker said.
The Astros beat the Rangers 10-3 tying the ALCS at two games a piece. Game 5 will be at Globe Life Field on Friday afternoon.
This story was originally published October 19, 2023 at 9:32 PM.
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