(Warning: This recap has some spoilers from the series finale of Game of Thrones so if you haven’t watched it yet, TURN AROUND NOW PLEASE AND THANK YOU.)
ARLINGTON, Texas –It probably wasn’t the best sign in the world – the Texas Rangers having their usual Game of Thrones night where they celebrate the critically acclaimed HBO drama/fantasy series with a Night (or as they spelled it, the “Knight”) King Rangers bobble head giveaway to fans in Globe Life Park. The Rangers mascot Captain took to the field during pre-first-pitch activities dressed as…squints a member of the Night’s Watch? Well, he’ll be in good company with Jon remembers…headed up North but okay?
The big concern was that the theme night would ultimately jinx the home team, since, well, many fans didn’t really think the series finale ended on a high note and while it started somewhat strong, it fizzled in the end because it was rushed.
Well, I hate to break it to you, but that’s what happened tonight. To a tee.
In a face off on the mound between Rangers starting pitcher Mike Minor and the Kansas City Royals (who were 19-37) RHP Jakob Junis, the Royals were looking to snap a three-game losing streak coming into Globe Life Park and thanks to Junis, Jorge Soler, and Adalberto Mondesi, they managed to stick a Valerian steel dagger right in the heart of the Rangers, beating them 4-2.
The Rangers struck first blood with Shin-Soo Choo hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the third inning, and Nomar Mazara helped him out a little with his own solo in the sixth. Unfortunately, Mazara’s homer came following Soler’s three-run homer in the top of the sixth.
Minor actually allowed three runs and seven hits in the innings he stayed in the game (including throwing a shut-out into the sixth).
But, like Daenerys Targaryen, the Rangers really didn’t make it out of the final innings alive.
Next up is Ariel Jurando taking the bump for the Rangers on Friday evening while LHP Danny Duffy steps on the mound for the Royals.
