Former Reds outfielder has night to remember in World Series debut

It was a night to remember for former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Travis Jankowski.

Texas Rangers' postseason star, Adolis Garcia, suffered an injury in Game 3, and the slugger was removed from the team's playoff roster. That meant that somebody else would have to pick the slack.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy inserted Jankowski into the starting lineup, and while the speedster definitely doesn't supply the same power that Garcia does, the former Reds outfielder was able to impact the game in a big way.

Former Reds outfielder has night to remember in World Series debut

Travis Jankowski rode the bench throughout most of the Texas Rangers' postseason run. Coming into the World Series, the former Cincinnati Reds outfielder managed just two at-bats in four games played during the ALCS.

But after Adolis Garcia exited Game 3 of the World Series with soreness in his side, Jankowski got his first taste of the Fall Classic as a defensive substitute in right field. When it was revealed that Garcia would miss the remainder of the postseason, Jankowski drew the start in the outfield.

During his first at-bat in Game 4, Jankowski, with two outs, lined a base hit up the middle in the top of the second inning. Marcus Semien then laced a two-RBI triple down the left field line, scoring Jankowski all the way from first base.

With the Texas Rangers leading 5-0 in the top of the third inning, Jankowski stepped into the batters' box for a second time and had an even bigger impact. The 32-year-old slashed a two-out, two-run double into right-center field, scoring Josh Jung and Nathaniel Lowe.

With the Rangers leading 7-0, Semien buried the Arizona Diamondbacks with one swing of the bat. His big fly to left field put Texas on top 10-0, and the route was on. The Rangers won by the final score of 11-7.

Travis Jankowski signed with the Cincinnati Reds during the 2020 season. A light-hitting outfielder, known for his speed, Jankowski's opportunities in Cincinnati were limited to mostly that of a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

After Tuesday's win in the desert, the Texas Rangers can close it out with a win in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Arizona. This would be the Rangers first World Series title since the team's inception in 1961.