Rangers rally to beat Dodgers bullpen

The Rangers rallied for four runs in the seventh inning to beat the Dodgers, 6-2 in the opener of their weekend series on Friday night in Arlington.

Jake McGee is one of the many contributors to a deep and thriving Dodgers bullpen this season, and before Friday he allowed one run on four hits in his 13 appearances, facing 42 batters.

The left-hander faced five batters in the seventh inning on Friday, but allowed four hits and all of them scored. The go-ahead hit was a solo home run to lead off the inning by Derek Dietrich, who was a late addition to the lineup at first base when the Rangers placed Danny Santana on the injured list with an elbow sprain.

Three singles followed against McGee, then a double and sacrifice fly against Dylan Floro capped the big inning.

The Dodgers had no real answer for Rangers starter Mike Minor, who kept them off balance through six scoreless innings, but it wasn’t for lack of opportunities. They had two runners on base with zero or one out in three of the first four innings, but everyone was stranded thanks to Minor limiting them to 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

One of those outs was arguably the most important of the game, when Justin Turner had designs on a three-run home run, but center fielder Leody Taveras had other ideas.

Once Minor was out of the game, the Dodgers immediately pounced on reliever Joely Rodriguez in the seventh. Doubles by Will Smith and Corey Seager plated one run, and a single by Turner tied the game.

Turner then stole second base, but felt something in his hamstring in doing so, and left the game with a trainer. Dave Roberts said after the game that they are hopeful it’s more a cramp than a mild strain, but that Turner won’t play on Saturday.

The Dodgers were within striking distance in the seventh thanks to Dustin May, who continued to put down roots in the starting rotation. May lasted six innings for the third time in his last five starts, allowing only two runs in a third-inning rally.

May has allowed one or two runs in each of his seven starts this season.

On Friday he also induced a season-high nine swinging strikes, and struck out three.

Mitch White made his big league debut in the eighth inning, allowing a single but pitching a scoreless inning, with one strikeout. On a conference call earlier Friday, White talked about what his major league debut might be like.

“I’ll be juiced, whenever it comes,” White said. “Usually I get a little anxious beforehand, when I know it’s possible. Then I start throwing the ball and it’s like, ‘Alright, here we go.’”

Friday particulars

Home run: Derek Dietrich (2)

WP — Joely Rodriguez (1-0): 1 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts

LP — Jake McGee (2-1): ⅓ IP, 3 hits, 1 run

Up next

Ross Stripling takes the mound on Saturday night (4:05 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA), with the Dodgers getting a chance to covey thy neighbor with Lance Lynn starting for Texas two days before the MLB trade deadline.