When Wyatt Langford sprinted for home on a fly ball to short center, it seemed like a daring move. A good throw, and he’d most certainly be out.

The throw was good. The Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk was crouched down waiting for it, waiting to apply the tag, waiting to make the out at home. 

But Langford hurdled over Kirk, avoiding the tag, as the throw squirted away, into the glove of the pitcher backing it up only a few feet away.

Trouble is, after Langford went airborne, he missed home when he landed. As the pitcher lunged to tag him, Langford turned around quickly and dove for the plate, getting his hand in moments before being tagged.

It was all a metaphor to the Rangers day. Moments later, in Houston, the Braves, who were down 2-0 to Houston, scored a run in their sixth inning. Then, the next inning, Ronald Acuña hit a grand slam to put the Braves up 5-2 on their way to a 6-3 win over the Astros, to combine with the Rangers 6-2 win over the Blue Jays.

And just like that, Texas hurdled over Houston for sole possession of first place in the American League West.

A game over .500.  First place. Seven games to go. 

Like Langford’s daring run from third, it’s going to be a mad dash to the end. 

*****