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Texas Rangers: Top 10 Opening Days

By Nathaniel Puente

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers is congratulated by third base coach Tony Beasley #27 in the second inning after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers is congratulated by third base coach Tony Beasley #27 in the second inning after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 01: Kevin Jepsen #32 of the Texas Rangers throws in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 01: Kevin Jepsen #32 of the Texas Rangers throws in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /

4. Opening Day 2016  vs. Seattle Mariners (W 3-2)

From the first Texas Rangers win on opening day, we reach their last win on the first game of the year.

In 2016, the Rangers were coming off an impressive season where they defied expectations and won the AL West. They looked to start the season in the right direction with a game against their division rival Seattle Mariners.

Cole Hamels proved to be a worthy trade piece in 2015 and his efforts carried over the following season. He earned the starting role on opening day.

Seattle struck first with a home run in the first two innings of the game from Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager. Hamels was unphased by this and continued on delivering some well-needed pitching from the Rangers roster.

Texas answered with their offensive attack in the fifth inning. Rougned Odor drew a walk, Elvis Andrus reached on an error, and Delino Deshields drew a walk to load the bases. Next to the plate was Shin-soo Choo who also drew a walk, scoring Odor. Prince Fielder then hit an RBI single that carried one run home. Adrian Beltre finished it off when he reached on an error that brought Delino Deshields home.

The Rangers had overthrown King Felix and were well on their way to their first win of the new season.

Seattle put in their best efforts to close the one-run deficit but was unable to overcome Cole Hamels. He finished the day after seven innings of work with eight strikeouts and only four hits.

Jake Diekman and Shawn Tolleson finished the job with flawless work in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Texas Rangers would go on to complete a dream season of 95-67 winning the AL West.

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