MLB: Fairchild's Walk Not Enough as Guardians Fall to Rangers

The Cleveland Guardians suffered their second straight defeat, losing 3-2 to the Texas Rangers on Friday. The team's offense showed early promise, with Australian prospect Travis Bazzana hitting a solo home run in the first inning and catcher Austin Hedges adding an RBI single in the fourth to give the Guardians a 2-0 lead.

However, the Rangers mounted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning when Kyle Higashioka hit a solo home run. The momentum shifted decisively in the seventh when Corey Seager launched a go-ahead two-run homer, putting the Rangers ahead to stay.

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I think we deserved the tie. It was a great game from us.

In the top of the ninth, with one out, Taiwanese-American player Stuart Fairchild entered the game as a pinch hitter. Facing left-handed pitcher Jacob Latz, Fairchild worked a walk after a five-pitch at-bat, reaching base to extend the inning. With two outs, Hedges singled to put runners on first and second, but Brayan Rocchio struck out to end the game, sealing the Guardians' loss.

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They scored a goal from a foul that, for me, is nonexistent. I was watching the video and I think the foul doesn't exist.

Fairchild's appearance was his only plate appearance of the game. He has played in four games this season, recording one hit in seven at-bats for a .143 batting average and two walks.

The loss drops the Guardians' record to 36-29, though they still hold a lead in the American League Central. The Rangers improved to 31-32, second in the AL West.

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We are not happy with the refereeing. We don't understand certain things, but well, we have to keep working. This is the path.