It might not be remembered this way because of Game 1’s dual rain delays and the lights-out performance by the Rangers’ bullpen, but Nelson Cruz’s solo home run to left field in the bottom of the fourth inning proved to be a game-winning blast.
And considering he hit it off Tigers ace Justin Verlander, we may as well call the dinger heroic.
Cruz was just 1-for-15 entering the ALCS and mired in an 0-for-10 postseason slump, but he came alive at exactly the right time and sent a towering shot into the left field seats. It was his only hit of the game, and perhaps he’ll again go cold, but he deserves credit for snapping out at the right moment in Saturday’s 3-2 ALCS Game 1 victory.
Cruz was a .263/.312/.509 hitter during the regular season with 29 homers and 87 RBI. Hamstring injuries kept him from entering the stretch run in an offensive groove, but he might be the most dangerous No. 7 batter in ALCS history. Perhaps he’ll climb his way back up the Rangers’ starting lineup before October is through.
