Aroldis Chapman secured his first win as a Texas Ranger in dramatic fashion, throwing the two fastest pitches in Statcast history (102.8 mph) as the Rangers edged out the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Monday night. Chapman's blazing fastballs highlighted a thrilling ninth inning that saw pinch-runner Josh Smith score the winning run on a wild pitch by Rays closer Pete Fairbanks.
The game, a matchup between the American League's top two division leaders, remained tight until the final frame. Tampa Bay held a 2-0 lead going into the sixth, thanks to a solo home run by Josh Lowe and an earlier run scored by Yandy Díaz, who returned from paternity leave. However, the Rangers rallied in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game with a two-run homer by Ezequiel Duran.
The score remained deadlocked until the ninth when Chapman entered the game and promptly struck out the side, showcasing his impressive velocity. In the bottom half of the inning, rookie Josh Jung doubled and was replaced by pinch-runner Smith. Smith advanced to third on a groundout, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Fairbanks' wild pitch allowed Smith to scamper home, giving the Rangers their fourth consecutive win since the All-Star break.
Rays All-Star Shane McClanahan had a strong outing in his return from a back injury, allowing only one hit and two runs through six innings. However, the Rays' bullpen faltered late, leading to their ninth loss in July. Despite their recent struggles, Tampa Bay still boasts the best record in the American League. The Rangers will look to continue their winning streak when they face Taj Bradley on Tuesday, while the Rays will counter with Nathan Eovaldi.
Manager Bruce Bochy praised Chapman's impact on the team, stating, "I said he would change this club, this bullpen, he’d make us a much better team. And he’s done that." This win underscores the Rangers' resilience and their ability to close out games, a quality that has been crucial to their success this season.
