And that’s how you wrap up a series win.
The Texas Rangers are proving they know how to jump out early and hold on, even if their bullpen likes to keep things interesting. In this latest showdown, they built an early lead and managed to hang tight, despite some bullpen hiccups.
Cal Quantrill stepped up when the team needed him most, filling in for the injured Jack Leiter. Quantrill delivered four shutout innings, a surprise performance that had fans buzzing. But as baseball often goes, the drama was far from over.
Robby Ahlstrom and Joe Ross took the mound next, each trying to keep the momentum alive. Ahlstrom, pitching on back-to-back days, struggled, recording just one out from four batters.
Ross managed slightly better, retiring four of the eight batters he faced. Between them, they allowed four runs before Peyton Gray came in to clean up the mess.
Gray gave everyone a scare with a single but then settled into a groove, retiring the next seven batters. His efforts were pivotal, earning him the win, while Tyler Alexander closed the door with a save.
While the Rangers might make it a habit of giving up runs late, their offense is firing on all cylinders, scoring enough to keep the wins coming. They kicked things off with a run in the first, exploded for five in the fifth, and added a cherry on top with a Corey Seager homer in the sixth.
Seager's homer was a welcome sight, marking his first hit since returning from the concussion injured list. He had a mixed day, walking once and striking out three times.
In a last-minute change, Wyatt Langford was sidelined due to hamstring tightness. Manager Skip Schumaker wisely chose caution, given Langford's recent injury history. Fortunately, the team didn’t miss a beat without him.
Jake Burger was on fire with three hits, and Alejandro Osuna, who might soon find himself back in Round Rock with Evan Carter's return, chipped in with a couple of hits of his own.
Adding to the good news, the Mariners took a loss, putting the Rangers just half a game behind Seattle in the AL West. However, the Rangers still find themselves a game under .500, a mark that's been a tough hurdle recently. But with this win, they're in sole possession of the third wild card spot.
On the radar gun, Quantrill's fastball hit 96.1 mph, Ahlstrom's sinker reached 94.6 mph, Ross's fastball maxed out at 96.7 mph, Gray's fastball topped at 94.4 mph, and Alexander's fastball hit 93.1 mph. On the offensive side, Jake Burger smashed a single at 107.7 mph, Brandon Nimmo's fly out clocked at 104.3 mph, Joc Pederson had a 100.9 mph fly out, and Ezequiel Duran's single came in at 100.7 mph.
The Rangers are showing resilience and tenacity, qualities that could serve them well as they continue their quest for postseason glory.
In Other News...
Rangers Rotation Pressure Keeps Mounting As Veteran Starter Waits
Jordan Montgomery took another step in his return with Double-A Frisco, turning in a sharp second rehab start of the year by throwing two scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts and no walks. For the Rangers, it was the kind of clean outing that shows progress, even if the organization is still easing him along carefully after Tommy John surgery.
There is still plenty of runway before Montgomery is ready to help the Major League rotation, and the cautious approach matters even more with injuries already thinning the staff. Jack Leiters move to the injured list has added to the pressure, but Texas is keeping Montgomery on a measured schedule rather than rushing him into a rotation spot before he is ready. [Read more 🡒]
Wyatt Langfords Rangers Breakout Just Hit Another Frustrating Pause
Wyatt Langfords breakout seemed to be picking up real steam again for the Rangers after he returned from the injured list June 5, and the early returns were hard to miss. He had been giving Texas a much-needed boost in the middle of the lineup while also showing the kind of defensive flexibility that has made him such a valuable piece when the roster is whole.
So the timing of his latest interruption stings a little more for a club that has been trying to build on that momentum. Evan Carter came off the injured list and took Langfords spot on the roster, giving the Rangers another familiar young outfielder back in the mix while Langfords status adds another layer of uncertainty to a stretch when Texas could use its best bats on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Just Turned To Another Rotation Patch Fans Know Too Well
The Rangers are reportedly adding another arm to the rotation mix, and it comes with the kind of short-term urgency that has become familiar in Arlington. The club has an open 40-man roster spot, and the move is being framed as a major league deal, a sign Texas wants immediate help rather than a longer evaluation.
What makes the situation more interesting is the timing. The Rangers may still need to clear an active roster spot before the pitcher can be activated, and the expectation is that this is more of a bridge than a long-term fix. With Jordan Montgomery working back from rehab, the need is for someone who can take the ball in the meantime, even if only for a brief stretch. [Read more 🡒]