ARLINGTON -- Joc Pederson really, really, really needed that one. And so did the Rangers.
Pederson was working through the worst offensive season of his career before a fractured wrist sidelined him in May. At the time, he was slashing .131/.269/.238 with just two home runs and five doubles in 46 games. In seven games since his return, he was just 2-for-21 with six strikeouts.
Pederson didn’t walk it off on Monday night -- that was Josh Jung -- but he did deliver a pinch-hit, game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Yankees closer Devin Williams, sending the game to extras to set up the eventual 8-5 walk-off.
It was a much-needed victory to open the homestand after the Rangers front office added pieces at the Trade Deadline amidst a 2-5 West Coast roadtrip.
Manager Bruce Bochy has predictably remained steady throughout both good and bad stretches this season. He’s said multiple times that this team would find its footing and start playing good baseball.
“I think, more than anything, it's wanting it,” Bochy said pregame on Monday. “You gotta want it in the worst way. Live it, breathe it. You gotta go out every game determined to win the ballgame. And putting the losses behind you, that's gotta be important too. Because every now and then, with how tight things are, every loss can be magnified. There’s a lot of baseball left. We’ve gotta keep that focus every day.”