Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz excited after walk-off grand slam victory over Detroit Tigers
The Texas Rangers went 2-0 in the American League Championship Series in Game 2 on Monday, October 10 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The club availed a 7-3 winner after Nelson Cruz smashed a grand slam walk-off victory hit to left-field off Tigers’ reliever
Ryan Perry. The game brought the home crowd to their feet as the Rangers closed out one of their biggest concerns of the post-season.
Nelson Cruz did not go in to the Championship Series in the best of forms. He was .067 in the Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. After winning the last playoff tournament, Cruz was put into a hard training schedule at Rangers Ballpark. Fortunately,
for Ron Washington, the hard hitter proved his mettle as he went .571 in the last two games.
So far in the Championship series, Cruz has gone 4-for-7. He has three home-runs to his name, including six RBIs and three runs. Miguel Cabrera talked about the Tigers’ missed chances while referring to Cruz, in the post game press address.
"Today, the ball was not carrying. But for Cruz, the ball was carrying," Cabrera lamented after Detroit lost its chance to tie the American League Championship series, 1-1.
For Cruz the feeling is great. The hitter smashed a home-run in the bottom seventh and then managed the post-season’s first ever walk off Grand Slam.
The player described his mentality in the 11th when he faced Ryan Perry for the grand slam hit. The bases were loaded at the time and the Rangers needed just one sacrifice fly to get the necessary win.
"I was really aggressive with my first two swings and then thought about just hitting a fly ball," Cruz said.
Perry had a bad time on the mound for the Tigers but he took the time out to comment on Cruz’ performance.
"He's a great hitter," Perry said. "You have to make better pitches to him. A 1-2 pitch, slider came inside, and he made the best of it."
With Cruz on .227 for the post-season, the Rangers can look forward to a wild knock from the hard hitter in the next few games.
Tags: