Getting production from a lot of young players is a pleasant sight for Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. While sitting in the dugout watching his team hustle to stay in the American League playoff hunt, Bochy has seen young players one after the other take the field.
Michael Helman wanted to make a good impression on Bochy. Consider that job done as Helman connected for a grand slam against the National League Central Division-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night at Globe Life Field.
Helman's slam was just part of a five-RBI night for him. He provided all the offense that Texas needed in its 5-0 victory over the Brewers at Globe Life Field on Monday night. Rangers starter Jacob Latz went 5 2/3 innings en route to the win.
"I knew when I got to the plate what my job was going to be -- I had to get something that I could hit in the air and try to get a sac fly," Helman said after the game. "Luckily enough, I got something better than that. It happened to go out of the park. … My heart was definitely pounding, that's for sure. I just took a step back and said a quick prayer and just let it loose."
The Rangers have a litany of big-time players on the Injured List right now, so the team needs an all-hands-on-deck attitude.
Bochy had no complaints after the game.
"I can't think of a club that's had to call on so many young guys to help," Bochy said. "I mean, with the number of injuries that we have, it’s so important to have depth. To acquire [Helman] during the season, obviously, that was very, very big for us.
"But really, everybody," he said. "They've all done some really good things to help us. We’ve needed it. With what we're dealing with, it’s good to see how this group has come together and just keep playing good baseball."
Where do things stand in the AL postseason situation for the Rangers? After the victory, Texas is now 3 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West Division race. The Rangers are 1 1/2 games out of an AL Wild Card spot heading into Tuesday's action against the Brewers at home.
Can the Rangers stay hot? They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have won two straight. Picking up another win over the Brewers can only help their chances.