It was a big day for the Texas Rangers today. They beat the Astros thanks to two home runs by Josh Smith and Day 1 of the 2024 MLB draft was held tonight in Fort Worth.
There were multiple reasons to get out to Riders Field on Sunday night as well. Not only was it Bluey Night at Riders Field, but it was also announced earlier in the afternoon that Dane Dunning was on a rehab assignment for the Texas Rangers and expected to pitch two innings.
And of course, there’s the baseball itself.
Dane Dunning’s Rehab Start
Game time temperature was a scorching 97 degrees. I say scorching because it felt even hotter.
Full transparency: I didn’t look at the radar gun after each pitch, but the highest speed I saw was 90 mph.
Here’s a look at Dunning’s pitch speeds for the innings I noted between taking photos:
1st Inning:
- 90
- 82
- 88 mph
2nd Inning:
- 90 mph
Dunning gave up his first hit in the 1st inning, a grounder that wasn’t hit particularly hard but it was kind of bobbled by Keyber but it was ruled a hit anyway.
The Pen
Skylar Hales replaced Dunning in the 3rd.
Hales threw pitches at 93, 84, and 95 mph at the times I looked at the radar gun.
He pitched 1.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, 3 walks and 1 strikeout.
Riders walk it off
The Riders’ performance at the plate showcased efforts from Liam Hicks, Max Acosta, and Cooper Johnson, each delivering two hits in the game.
However, it was Cooper Johnson who stole the show, thrilling 7,608 fans with a walk-off RBI double, securing a satisfying victory for the team before they take a week off.
The RoughRiders’ victory was an exciting end to a day filled with notable events for the Texas Rangers organization. From the Rangers 4-2 win over the Astros, Dunning’s rehab assignment to the walk-off double by Cooper Johnson, and the 1st and 2nd round of the MLB Draft, the night was a testament to the thrill and charm of minor league baseball.
RoughRiders will have the week off for the All-Star break. They will open a three-game road series against the Wichita Wind Surge, the Twins affiliate, on Friday, July 19th.
