Travis Jankowski becomes the unlikely hero of the Rangers World Series

PHOENIX – Travis Jankowski was grateful to play for a “high-profile organization” during his time with the Mets in 2022.

“[But] Things didn’t go well for me there and I’m excited to play for the Texas Rangers,” Jankowski said this week.

Jankowski took advantage of the opportunity that came his way, taking Adolis Garcia’s spot in the starting lineup in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in his team’s game-tying 11-7 win over the Diamondbacks. The Rangers win the franchise’s first World Series with Wednesday’s 5-0 victory.

The Rangers removed Garcia from the roster after he injured his left oblique in Game 3.

For Jankowski – a former Stony Brook star – it was the opportunity of a lifetime. On Wednesday, he was back in the lineup as a right fielder and pitched ninth.

“I slept well [Tuesday] Night,” said Jankowski, who scored the game-winning hit with a walk on Wednesday, 0-3. “Still, it was a completely different experience for me. That’s one of the things I’ll think about in a few weeks when this work is done.”

Jankowski owned a .263/.357/.332 slash line with one home run and 30 RBIs in 107 games for the Rangers.

“He’s been solid for us despite the injuries we’ve been dealing with,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “He gives you defense and speed. He gives you good shots up there. He has good discipline at the plate. Just a solid signing for us.”

D’backs manager Torey Lovullo admitted he would like to reconsider his decision to pitch Corey Seager on Tuesday with first base open and two outs.

Seager hit a two-run home run in the second inning that gave the Rangers a 5-0 lead.

The blast was Seager’s sixth of the postseason.

“It wasn’t a good decision on my part,” Lovullo said. “I have to get better, there’s no doubt about that. I have experienced situations like this. I was in the dugout with a hot hitter. I watched hot hitters. We have to do better.”

Bochy joined an exclusive club of managers with four or more championships.

The only managers with at least four World Series titles: Joe McCarthy (seven), Casey Stengel (seven), Connie Mack (five), Walter Alston (four) and Joe Torre (four). Bochy won three of his titles with the Giants.