ARLINGTON — The eighth inning pitching moves (or lack thereof) weren’t the only decisions that, knowing the outcome now, manager A.J. Hinch might do differently after Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Rangers.
In the ninth inning, Carlos Correa singled off Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson. Jonathan Villar was the next batter and hit into a double play.
Where was Preston Tucker, who hit a big home run a night before, to bat in place of Villar?
For one, Correa and Villar are both fast, and therefore not a likely tandem to be doubled up.
“Tucker was hitting fourth or fifth in that ninth inning (as a pinch-hitter),” Hinch said of his plan.