Mitch Moreland rejoices as Mike Napoli shines at first base against Boston Red Sox and Jon Lester
Even though Mitch Moreland was absent from the Opening Day squad that went out to face the Boston Red Sox in Arlington on 1st April, 2011, but his support and heart could not have been anywhere else. The Texas Rangers’ star, who earned the club
its first win in the season, was benched for a particular reason. Moreland was cast aside for the fixture due to his prowess against the right hand pitchers. Being a right-hand player, Mike Napoli was preferred to lead the charge against a left hand ball thrower,
Jon Lester. Napoli, took the first baseman position, as instructed by manager Ron Washington, and went on to impress all the supporters at the Rangers Ballpark. Even Moreland was ecstatic.
The Rangers were down 2 – 4 in the fourth inning. With a two run difference, someone had to come on top of Red Sox pitcher, left – hand Jon Lester. Fortunately, Napoli was on the job. Washington’s strategy worked as the former Los Angeles Angels’ player
smashed a three-run homer to get the club to a 5 – 4 advantage.
The hit rejuvenated the side. It was due to the hitter’s shot that Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz scored. As Napoli made his way to the dugout, after the shot, Moreland congratulated him.
"Oh yeah," Moreland said. "I was fired up. We had a lot of big hits and that was definitely a game-changer."
Napoli was 2 (balls) – 2 (strikes) at the time. His shot was almost a miracle for the Texans.
"I had two strikes and I was just trying to battle," Napoli said. "I just kind of reacted to the pitch. I wasn't looking to hit it hard."
The Rangers eventually won the game as they scored four runs in the eighth to push a 9 – 5 score line to the ninth.
"It was nice," Napoli said. "That's what you want to do, do something to help your team win. It happened to me today but it could happen to anybody."
Despite being missing from the line up, he was content with the outcome.
"It was awesome," Moreland said. "It was a great day. A lot of guys stepped up. That's what a day like this is all about."
Moreland will now be starting as a first baseman in the next two games against the Red Sox.
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