The Texas Rangers didn’t score a run but the Minnesota Twins scored four runs.
Three times in the three games in this series a team hit a home run in their first at-bat of the game. Today was the only time jumping out ahead led to the homering squad securing the victory, however. For the second time in two days, Byron Buxton led off the game with a homer. Unlike yesterday, the Twins took this game and the series.
From Buxton’s solo shot on the game’s first pitch until the eighth inning, neither team
did much of anything before Buxton hit a far more ruinous dinger, a three-run shot off Chris Martin in what is likely his final ever appearance in his home town for his hometown team.
The Rangers, meanwhile, ended their slate in front of the home fans appropriately for this unfortunate season. In a year where Texas often couldn’t hit a lick, today they collected just three knocks all game, with each of the first of those scant hits erased on the bases. The Rangers left just two on base all afternoon and didn’t have an at-bat with runners in scoring position until two outs in the eighth inning.
Today’s game is a perfect way to remember the 2025 Texas Rangers.
Player of the Game: Tyler Mahle hadn’t allowed a home run at The Shed all year until Buxton’s leadoff dong. Afterwards, Mahle didn’t allow another run in five innings of work. In what was likely his final start for Texas, Mahle lowered his season ERA to 2.18 in 16 starts this season.
Up Next: The Rangers head to Cleveland for the final series of the season where they will attempt to spoil things for the Guardians on their quest to complete a historic comeback in the American League Central. RHP Jack Leiter will make his final start of the year in the opener against RHP Slade Cecconi for Cleveland.
The Friday evening first pitch from Progressive Field is scheduled for 6:10 pm CT and will be telecast on Victory+.
