The Redbirds (40+) came out swinging but couldn’t hold off a steady Rangers offense on Wednesday night, falling 8-4 at The Parks at Texas Star. Despite a quick lead and a solid performance at the plate from Dustin Harrison, the Redbirds couldn’t keep pace with the relentless pressure applied by the Rangers throughout the game.
Harrison got the Redbirds on the board early in the top of the first, lacing a two-run single to center to give his team a 2-0 lead. But the Rangers answered back with authority in the second, putting up four runs thanks to a pair of timely singles and a defensive miscue. They added another in the third, then continued to tack on runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to stretch their lead.
The Redbirds scratched back with a run in the fourth and another in the sixth, again with Harrison right in the middle of the action. He finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, driving in more than half of the team’s runs and giving the Redbirds a fighting chance.
On the mound, Harrison also got the start, tossing four innings and allowing six runs—though just four were earned—on five hits, striking out four. Brent Smerczynski took over in relief and gave the Redbirds two more innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two.
Offensively, Phil Bosco joined Harrison with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-2 at the plate. Travis Hitzeman added an RBI single in the middle innings, while Jerry Anderson was a spark on the bases, swiping two of the team’s five stolen bags. The Redbirds kept the pressure on defensively, turning a double play and staying aggressive on the paths, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Rangers’ eight-hit, eight-run attack.
Gregory Olson went the distance for the Rangers, allowing six hits and four runs—three earned—over seven innings, and striking out two to earn the win.
Player of the Game honors go to Dustin Harrison, who not only started the game on the hill but also delivered at the plate, driving in three of the Redbirds’ four runs and collecting two of their six total hits.
The Redbirds will look to bounce back next week when they head to Los Viejos for what promises to be another spirited showdown.
