Rangers 6, Twins 5
ARLINGTON, Texas, Jul 8 — The Texas Rangers won a close one on Friday by beating the Minnesota Twins by a final score of 6–5. A three-run home run by Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was just one of the highlights in this game, but it helped seal the deal for the Rangers, nonetheless. The second game in this three-game series is set for Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 PM Central. Left-hander Devin Smeltzer (4–2, 3.04 ERA) will start for the Twins. The Rangers, meanwhile, will send their own lefty Martin Perez (7–2, 2.34 ERA) to the mound in the middle game.
Rangers’ Wild Fifth Inning Against Twins
There was a lot of offense from both teams on Friday night. The Rangers remained out of the run column until the bottom of the fifth inning. After loading the bases on two singles by Nathaniel Lowe, and Jonah Heim, and a walk to Kole Calhoun, that’s when things got really exciting for the Rangers. Mitch Garver was hit by a pitch to force in Lowe from third base. The Rangers were behind 3–0 at the time. This made it 3–1, still in favor of the Twins. Moments later, Leody Taveras hit a sacrifice to drive in Heim.
The score would soon be tied 3–3 on an RBI single by Josh Smith. Two batters later, Corey Seager stepped up to the plate. He hit a monster three-run home run to right field to give the Rangers a 6–3 lead. It allowed Garver and Smith to score. It was Seager’s 17th home run of the season. The home run was also the ninth go-ahead home run of the season for Seager. Adolis Garcia went 3-for-4 with a triple after entering Friday in an 0-for-12 slump. It was the first triple for the Rangers since June 18th against the Detroit Tigers. That was also hit by Garcia. It was also the first at Globe Life Field since May 13th against the Boston Red Sox. García has hit four of the club’s eight triples this season.
Twins’ Offense
The offense started early for the Twins. In the top of the first inning, shortstop Carlos Correa hit a two-run home run to put the Twins on top by a score of 2–0. They scored their third run in the top of the third inning. An RBI single by Max Kepler allowed Byron Buxton to score. The Twins scored their final two runs in the top of the sixth inning. A two-run home run off the bat of catcher Ryan Jeffers brought the Twins to within one run of the Rangers, but that is where the offense would end for the Twins on Friday evening.
Pitching Notes
Right-hander Jon Gray was on the mound for the Rangers on Friday night. He struggled in his outing, but he got the winning decision. Gray pitched 5 1/3 innings. He walked one, struck out eight, and surrendered two home runs. Gray earned his fifth win on Friday, second-most among Rangers behind Martín Pérez (7–2). His record for 2022 now sits at 5–4, with an ERA of 4.03. He allowed five runs, three earned, to tie his season high for runs allowed. Gray allowed two home runs for a second straight start, as he has now permitted four home runs in his last two starts after six homers in his first 13 starts. Brett Martin recorded his first career save by pitching a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout.
Main Photo:
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Players Mentioned:
Corey Seager, Devin Smeltzer, Martin Perez, Nathaniel Lowe, Jonah Heim, Kole Calhoun, Mitch Garver, Leody Taveras, Josh Smith, Adolis Garcia, Carlos Correa, Max Kepler, Byron Buxton, Ryan Jeffers, Jon Gray, Brett Martin
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