The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the Minnesota Twins scored two runs.
The script was flipped tonight as it was the Twins that led this one off with a home run before being quieted for most of the rest of the game while the Rangers scratched out four runs and a win. Those attributes were exactly the opposite in last night’s opener.
Byron Buxton jumped on Jacob deGrom’s second pitch of the game for a solo home run but between then and the eighth inning, when the Twins scored a rare run off Shawn
Armstrong, it was the Rangers who put together the best rally of the night and eventually pulling away.
After Josh Smith tied the game with a solo home run in the fourth, Texas scored three in the bottom of the seventh, including two on wild pitches.
Thanks to the sloppy play from Minnesota, a solid season swan song performance from deGrom, and some nifty work from the ‘pen, the Rangers finally won for the first time since they defeated the New York Mets back on Sept. 13. At that point, Texas had moved to within two games in the AL West. Since then, well, you know…
The Rangers still need one more win to guarantee avoiding a losing record for a second consecutive year, but at the very least, they won’t lose out to conclude this trying 2025 season.
Player of the Game: deGrom finished off his 2025 campaign with five innings and an early thank you for your service exit. In his first full, healthy season with Texas and first full, healthy season since 2019 with the Mets, deGrom finished the year with 12 wins and an ERA 2.97.
Tonight, deGrom was pretty darn good while he was out there on the bump. Though he allowed a leadoff dong to Buxton, with solo homers being his bugaboo this year, he also only allowed one other hit during his 74-pitch outing. deGrom also struck out eight Twins and finished the year with 185 Ks in 172.2 innings.
Up Next: The Rangers close out their home slate with a rubber match featuring RHP Tyler Mahle on the mound against RHP Bailey Ober for Minnesota.
The Thursday afternoon first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 1:35 pm CT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.
