The Texas Rangers scored six runs while the Toronto Blue Jays scored two runs.
At the last possible moments, the Rangers appear to have stumbled upon a winning formula.
Over the last week or so we’ve been privy to some victories where the Rangers have scored early, forced the opponent’s hand by scratching and clawing their way on base before threatening small ball chaos, and utilized a string of heroic turns from unsuspecting pitchers who have provided multiple effective innings when forced into duty.
If that’s the key to victory for Texas, they followed the plan to a Texas T tonight. The Rangers indeed scored early when Josh Jung lifted a first inning opposite field solo home run. Not satisfied with just one run, Texas plated two more in the bottom of the second inning when Toronto starter Jose Soriano walked leadoff hitter Wyatt Langford, hit Nicky Lopez, and then saw Langford score via an errant throw by Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez.
Despite having an aching ankle from getting struck by a pitch, Lopez scampered in the score the third run on a Soriano wild pitch.
Those runs felt pivotal for Texas as one out into the second inning Mr. Quality Start Cal Quantrill exited the game with an disquieting injury. I guess carrying the Rangers on his back over the last month or so has finally caught up with the recently-excellent righty. Quantrill had left his previous start with back tightness, but tonight’s early exit was listed as right lat tightness, which isn’t great news for the Rangers going forward.
It wasn’t great news at the time either as the Rangers were suddenly without this summer’s most consistent starter in a crucial game. Former playoff hero Jordan Montgomery was pressed into duty and, like many others over the last week or so, he acquitted himself well. Montgomery entered in a 1-0 game and exited after 3 2/3 innings and 51 pitches having not allowed a hit and with Texas up 3-0.
Another 2023 World Series legend followed Montgomery with Nathan Eovaldi coming in to pitch the sixth. After tossing 46 pitches on Wednesday against Boston, Eovaldi was less effective in his inning of work but he worked around a run to help bridge the bullpen to the late innings.
Like last night, the Rangers took getting scored upon personal as after Toronto made it 3-1, in the next half inning Texas scored three more runs highlighted by a Langford hurdle at home on a sac fly.
With the majority of the game managed by a trio of historically starting pitchers, the actual relievers got to work with Robert Garcia, Chase Silseth, and Jacob Latz combining to allow one run (a seventh inning solo home run off Garcia) as the Rangers maneuvered their way to another victory on this homestand.
And so, for the first time since they were 60-59 back on Aug 10, the Rangers are back above .500. It’s a fine time to do so, too, as because the Houston Astros lost tonight after allowing a seventh inning grand slam to Atlanta, the Rangers are now alone atop the American League West.
Player of the Game: Montgomery has been a bit of an unusual afterthought this season when considering his place among the October 2023 legends, but tonight he left his mark on his second stint with Texas but coming in into an emergency situation and pitching lights while the Rangers were grabbing control of the game.
For his effort, Montgomery was the winning pitcher in a big league game for the first time since Aug 2024 when he was pitching for Arizona.
Up Next: The Rangers close out this series with an opportunity to sweep the Blue Jays with RHP Jacob deGrom set to make the start for Texas against a pitcher to be named for Toronto.
The Sunday afternoon first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 1:35 pm CDT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.
