Texas Rangers: Carlos Gomez Homers in First At-Bat
By Matt Weyrich
The Texas Rangers signed former All-Star outfielder Carlos Gomez after he was released by the Astros earlier this month. He made a big first impression in his first at-bat with the team.
It’s hard to make this stuff up folks. After watching his performance completely fall off the table over the past two seasons, the Astros finally had enough of Carlos Gomez. On August 10, Houston designated the struggling outfielder for assignment. Ten days later, the Astros’ biggest nightmare began to take shape with the Texas Rangers.
The division rival Rangers inked Gomez to a minor league deal, sending him to Triple-A for a quick tune up. He made his Texas debut Thursday night, batting eighth and starting in left field against the Indians. His first chance to make an impression came in the bottom of the second with the game still scoreless. Needless to say, he took full advantage.
On the second pitch of the at-bat, Gomez belted an 86 mph cutter out of the hand of Josh Tomlin into the left field seats for a three-run homer. The crowd erupted as Gomez rounded the bases and put Texas up 3-0. With Cy Young candidate Cole Hamels on the mound, that was all the Rangers would need as they went on to route Cleveland 9-0.
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Gomez posted a .210/.272/.322 slash line with five home runs in 85 games with the Astros before hitting the curb. Since making back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2013-14, the native of the Dominican Republic has seen his career take a turn for the worst. After hitting 19 or more home runs in three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2014, Gomez has only hit 18 in the two years since.
If Gomez is able to replicate his All-Star form, he could be a huge piece that propels Texas to an American League pennant. A toolsy outfielder with sneaky power, Gomez is certainly capable of coming in huge down the stretch. There is little doubt that the talent is still there, it is just up to Gomez whether or not he can translate that into production at the plate. While his drop-off is production was certainly unprecedented, perhaps a change in scenery is all the ten-year veteran really needed.
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With Houston slowly watching their playoff hopes slip away, it only adds insult to injury to see Gomez already on the highlight tapes. If he goes on to play a pivotal role in the Rangers’ stretch run, it’s going to be a long winter on the other side of Texas.