Joc Pederson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run on Friday in a 2-1 win over the Orioles.
Pederson was the hero for the Rangers here. Needing to win when Shane Baz was working on a gem, the Rangers could barely get anyone on base. Then, after Elias Díaz legged out an infield single to start the sixth, Pederson punished a cutter that caught too much of the plate and turned a one run deficit into a one run lead with a two-run homer. That score would hold as Pederson put Texas’ lineup on his back. It was his 21st home run to go along with an .846 OPS in what’s been an outstanding bounce back season.