They say that the inside-the-park home run is the most thrilling play in baseball. It’s hard to disagree with that. 

It’s speed and fury and bravado and a touch of crazy all rolled into one mad dash around the bases. A runner going full speed in a desperate attempt to make it all the way around. Fielders desperately trying to run down the ball to get it in as soon as they can to cut down this lunatic trying to make it all the way around. Add to that, the play at the plate is always a thrill, usually a bang-bang play, where out and safe are separated by milimeters.

Evan Carter was the daredevil last night whose mad dash around the bases resulted in the Rangers first inside-the-parker this year, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead that they would eventually turn into a 6-1 victory.

Interesting side note. Back in 1977, the Rangers had back-to-back inside the park home runs. First from Toby Harrah, then from Bump Wills. That rarity was only the second time it was accomplished. And it hasn’t been done since. When Danny Janson popped up to second after Carter’s ITPHR, it assured that back-to-back wouldn’t happen this night.

But with the win, featuring a ten-strikeout gem from Jacob deGrom, the Rangers inch back to one-game over .500. 

Forget back to back inside-the-parkers. It would just be nice to get back-to- back victories.

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