Robbie Grossman Finds Groove at Plate

Texas Rangers outfielder Robbie Grossman’s second home run of the 2023 season was a long time coming.

Grossman was the designated hitter and batted second in the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

It was his first home run since Opening Day, when he went 1-for-3 and drove in three runs in an 11-7 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Before Sunday, Grossman was mired in a slump. In fact, his batting average dipped all the way down to .135 on April 15 after an 0-for-2 showing against the Houston Astros.

After that, Grossman found a groove. He was 5-for-14 in his last four games before Sunday. But that three-run blast in the second inning of Oakland’s Kyle Muller was a no-doubter to left and gave the Rangers a 3-0 lead.

“I’m just glad I could do something to help us win a game,” Grossman said. “We got a series win and that makes it even more exciting.”

Grossman tacked on sacrifice fly in the fourth to give the Rangers a 4-0 lead. Grossman finished the game 1-for-2 with four RBI. He also drew two walks hitting from the right side against the left-handed Muller. He has a five-game hitting streak.

Grossman now has a .208 batting average. The Rangers have hit multi-run homers in bunches so far this season. Grossman’s was their 12th of the season, which leads the Majors. The Rangers had only 20 all of last season.

For the majority of this season, Grossman has hit in the bottom of the order. That changed on Friday when Rangers manager Bruce Bochy put him second in the order. The Rangers are without their normal No. 2 hitter, Corey Seager, for at least a couple of more weeks. For the first week without Seager, Bochy primarily used Josh Smith and Travis Jankowski there.

Grossman’s first spin in the No. 2 spot on Friday resulted in a 1-for-3 game with two runs scored.

Then came Sunday’s power trip. Bochy said he liked Grossman’s approach the past week and that he felt something big was coming.

“He gives you good at bats,” Bochy said. “He sees pitches from the right side, you know his numbers are better there. But I think he's swinging in a lot better from the left side too.”

Grossman feels the same way. He’s coming off a season in which he batted just .209 for the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves. He’d love nothing more than to continue to keep his average moving in the right direction.

“I feel good,” Grossman said. “I know the guys here are fired up to continue winning games, so feeling comfortable with (the swing). Yeah, I feel great.”

The American League West-leading Rangers (14-7) are at the Cincinnati Reds (7-15) Monday to open a three-game series at 5:40 p.m. Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 5.40) going for Texas, with Nick Lodolo (2-1, 4.98) on the mound for the Reds.

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