Rangers Edge Rockies in Series Opener

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

May 12, 2025

Rangers 2, Rockies 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (May 12) — The Texas Rangers made a nice comeback to beat the Colorado Rockies, 2–1, Monday in front of a Sesame Street-esque crowd of 23,123. (Editor’s Note: The game was sponsored by the letters T, C, and R.) Wyatt Langford sent them all home happy with a two-run homer in the sixth. The Rangers will aim for the series victory on Tuesday evening with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Lefty Kyle Freeland (0–5, 6.41 ERA) will get the ball for the Rockies, while right-hander Jack Leiter (2–2, 5.09 ERA) will toe the slab for the Rangers.

No-No, No Mo

The Rockies drew first blood in the top of the second off Rangers starter Tyler Mahle. Hunter Goodman led off with a single to left. Two batters later, Goodman advanced to second on a balk by Mahle. He scored moments later thanks to a single to right by Nick Martini.

The Rangers took a 2–1 lead in the bottom of the sixth against Rockies righty Chase Dollander. Tucker Barnhart led off by drawing a walk. He was tagged out at second when Ezequiel Duran reached on a 5–4 force play.

On deck was Evan Carter, who struck out swinging. That brought up Langford, who launched one over the wall in center for his seventh homer of the year. It also marked the first hit of the evening for the Rangers. Dollander had only given up three walks to that point.

What Went Right for the Rangers

The Rangers used a mixture of a timely hit and a little luck on Monday. Langford’s blast came at a time when everyone in the ballpark was counting the outs that Dollander needed to make history. They were able to get all the offense they needed in order to put this one in the books.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

Aside from Martini’s RBI single in the second, the Rangers had some bad luck in the top of the ninth. Reliever Luke Jackson entered to close out the game, only to exit one pitch in. He was hit on the right hand by a line drive by Ryan McMahon. After the game, manager Bruce Bochy said the x-rays came back negative, and they would see how he responded on Tuesday before making any further decisions. He also indicated that there was significant swelling on Jackson’s hand.

Another Quality Start for Mahle

Rangers starter Tyler Mahle worked his fifth quality start of the year and earned his fourth win. He now owns a record of 4–1 with an ERA of 1.47. It is his first win since April 15 against the Los Angeles Angels. His line on Monday was 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 BK, 88 pitches/56 strikes. His lone blemish was the RBI single by Martini in the second.

Following the Martini single, Mahle retired 13 of the final 16 hitters he faced. He ranks second among qualified pitchers with a 1.47 ERA at the conclusion of Monday’s game. Mahle has allowed two or fewer runs in nine straight starts to begin the year, the longest such season-opening span in club history and second-longest in franchise history, trailing only Barry Moore’s 11 consecutive starts of two or fewer runs permitted to begin the 1969 campaign with the Washington Senators.

After taking over for Jackson in the ninth, reliever Jacob Webb allowed one hit and one walk en route to earning his first save of 2025.

Dollander’s Evening

Rockies starter Chase Dollander tied his career high with seven strikeouts across a career-high six innings and earned his first-ever quality start in his seventh career start. He was saddled with the tough loss after losing a 5 2/3 inning no-hit bid on the two-run home run by Langford in the sixth. His line was 6 IP, 1 H, 2 R-ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 HR, 85 pitches/49 strikes. He is now 2–4 with an ERA of 6.88.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

With a smile on his face and somewhat of a dry throat, Bochy discussed Webb’s performance on Monday. “He did a great job,” Bochy said between coughs. “They got to him for the walk, but he made his pitches, kept his calm, and worked his way out of it. We were able to get a big double play behind him. We’re also grateful for what Wyatt (Langford) did.”