“Obviously it was awesome,” Strausborger said. “Awesome individual day, but the biggest part is we completed the sweep and took three from the Rays and can carry the momentum into the next series.”

Strausborger hit 1-2 slider, sending it deep down the left-field line for the home run, giving the Rangers a two-run lead.

“It was an awesome feeling,” Strausborger said. “It’s not what I’m here to do, but occasionally you run into one. It was hard not to run around the bases with a smile on my face.”

Strausborger had 10 home runs in 345 at-bats at Triple-A Round Rock before being called up on Aug. 4. Strausborger, not known for his power, was primarily called up for his ability on defense and extra speed.

Strausborger helped keep Texas around early in the game. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the second, Texas had one on with two out when Strausborger kept the inning alive with a single to right. Delino DeShields Jr. followed with another two-out single that tied the score.

“The young man had a big day,” manager Jeff Banister said of Strausborger. “It’s kind of nice to see a couple guys like that chip in along the way. We’re not asking them to do too much, just go out and compete and give us what you have. He had an aggressive swing and solid at-bats. He’s growing up in the middle of a pennant race. You’re in the middle of the race trying to make an impact and he did.”

*Video and portions of the story are courtesy of the Texas Rangers