Have the Braves stopped scoring? It was 15-1 at one point. Who knows how many more runs they have tacked on. It could very well be 55-1 by now. 

The Rangers weren’t going to beat Chris Sale. He’s a lefty. And he’s Chris Sale. Cal Quantrill got the nod to take the ball for the Rangers. He’s a righty. And he’s not Chris Sale.

In fairness to Quantrill, he had been pretty solid as a starter since taking over for Jack Leiter—much better than Leiter, in fact. But his luck ran out. He just couldn’t get that third out. 

He retired the first two Braves in the first, then gave up two hits. He got out of it without any damage but you could tell it was not going to be a good night for him. After allowing the first two Braves to reach in the second, he got the next two out but couldn’t close the door. Atlanta scored two. Then four in the fourth. Quantrill’s day was done, giving up six runs on eleven hits. The Rangers were done, down 6-0. But the Braves weren’t done scoring. 

The Rangers weakened bullpen allowed the other nine runs. Texas scored on a meaningless run in the top of the ninth.

And just like that, the second half of the season started with a thud. There’s a reason Chris Sale is a Cy Young-level pitcher. And he showed it last night. The Rangers hitters got front row seats. They batted then returned to their seats.

*****