ARLINGTON, Texas — Justin Foscue had not hit a home run since July 9. He ended that Tuesday night with a 400-foot solo shot over the left field wall in the second inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the Washington Nationals 5-0 at Globe Life Field.
The home run came off left-hander Jackson Kent with 1 out and nobody on, and it put Texas ahead 2-0.
Justin Foscue’s Eighth Home Run of the Season
Foscue’s last home run before Tuesday came July 9 against the Los Angeles Angels. He fouled off five pitches in Tuesday’s at-bat before he connected, per the Rangers Sports Network broadcast.
Foscue is batting .257 with a .795 OPS. Texas drafted him 14th overall out of Mississippi State in 2020, and he made his major league debut on April 5, 2024.
Foscue said he has tried to stay present and keep the pressure off himself, and that he has grown more comfortable the longer he has been up.
“I don’t really know how I did that,” Foscue said. “I’m trying to do the same thing I’ve been doing all year. So I’m happy I didn’t miss that pitch. I had a good at-bat, fouled some pitches off, and then connected on that last one. It feels good. But just trusting the process. I don’t really know what I did different today.”
A Bases-Loaded Walk and a Pinch-Hitter in the Fifth
Foscue came up again in the third with the bases loaded and drew a walk that scored Corey Seager and made it 4-0. He finished with 2 RBIs on the night and has 23 for the season.
Joc Pederson pinch-hit for Foscue in the fifth and popped out. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said he pulled Foscue after four innings and that Foscue had a good game, including against the left-hander.
Texas finished 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 8 on base. The Rangers have 36 games remaining.
Foscue said the Rangers got on base and delivered clutch hits, and that Cal Quantrill did his thing.
“We just found a way to get some across,” Foscue said. “These guys are really good. We work hard every day. We want to produce in every moment possible, and we understand what’s at stake. I don’t even know what I’m trying to say. We’re trying to make the playoffs. Every at-bat matters. Every situation matters. And we’ve got about 30-some games left.”
Texas is 62-64 and second in the American League West. The Rangers and Nationals play again Wednesday at Globe Life Field, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. CT on Rangers Sports Network.
