ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young sat inside the home dugout at Globe Life Field six days ago and acknowledged that, while recent trends had been positive, the week ahead was set to “determine a lot” about the team’s trade deadline directions.

Josh Smith hit a two-run home run, Wyatt Langford had a bases-clearing double and the surging Texas Rangers piled up eight runs in the first three innings in an 8-1 victory over the struggling Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Michael Harris II hit a dinger to break the drought in the seventh and then he scored one of two runs for the Braves in the ninth inning. By then, the game was well in hand for Texas after they smacked Rafael Montero for four runs in the eighth inning. Blah.

Langford, stuck in a swing-happy scuffle for the last month, hit a bases-loaded double in the first inning to kickstart an offensive outburst that anchored a 8-1 sweep-clinching win vs. the Atlanta Braves Sunday at Globe Life Field.

Marcus Semien is a prime example of the old adage that the best ability is availability. In the seven full seasons since 2018, the 34-year old Cal alum and Texa

Langford has been a victim of expanding his zone following human element miscues, but this time, he waited until Elder put a pitch in the zone and drove it to produce a momentum-shifting moment in a win. Overall, Langford went 2-for-3 with the three-RBI double and a walk.

Josh Smith conectó un jonrón de dos carreras, Wyatt Langford logró un doble que vació las bases y los Rangers de Texas acumularon

The Texas Rangers activated designated hitter/first baseman Joc Pederson from the 10-day injured list on Sunday.

Rangers will host League 1 side Alloa Athletic in the second round of the League Cup. Third-tier Alloa scored a late winner as they came from behind to win 3-2 and overtake Championship hosts Airdrieonians at the top of Group C on Saturday.

Josh Smith hit a two-run home run, Wyatt Langford had a bases-clearing double and the surging Texas Rangers piled up eight runs in the first three innings in an 8-1 victory over the struggling Atlanta Braves on Sunday.