Rangers Blank Blue Jays in Middle Game

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

May 28, 2025

Rangers 2, Blue Jays 0

ARLINGTON, Texas (May 27) — The Texas Rangers came through in dramatic fashion on Tuesday evening, beating the Toronto Blue Jays, 2–0, to even this three-game set. A clutch RBI single by Josh Jung in the eighth inning paved the way for the Rangers in this one. They’ll go for the series win in the finale on Wednesday evening with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. The Blue Jays have yet to announce their starting pitcher for that game, while right-hander Tyler Mahle (5–2, 1.80 ERA) will take the hill for the Rangers.

Scoreless Through Seven and Change

Both teams traded zeroes for the first seven and a half innings. The Rangers finally broke the seal in the bottom of the eighth against Blue Jays reliever Chad Green. Kyle Higashioka singled to lead off the inning.

He was then lifted for pinch-runner Sam Haggerty, who immediately moved himself to scoring position by stealing second for his third stolen base of the year.

After Josh Smith grounded to second, Green gave Wyatt Langford the intentional walk.

Haggerty scored on the next play when Jung lined a single to center.

They made it 2–0 moments later. Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk committed a throwing error trying to pick off Jung at first, allowing Langford to cross the plate.

What Went Right for the Rangers

The Rangers were able to take their time in this game. They may not have gotten on the board until the eighth, but it was good that their pitching staff was able to keep the Blue Jays off the board in that stretch as well.

When the time was right, and they had runners on base, that’s when the Rangers took action. Jung’s RBI single and Kirk’s throwing error were just what they needed to secure this victory.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

The Rangers got what they needed to win on Tuesday. The only thing they could have done more of was score. Baseball is a complex game, however. Some nights you’re going to have an abundance of offense, and some nights the well will completely dry up.

Eovaldi Exits After Two

Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi was lifted from Tuesday’s game as a precaution with right triceps fatigue after pitching two scoreless innings. His final line was 2 H, 1 BB, 2 SO, 39 pitches/22 strikes. Tuesday was his shortest start since September 5, 2023 against the Houston Astros (1 1/3 IP, 4 R-ER). He yielded leadoff doubles in both frames but held the Blue Jays hitless in six at-bats with runners in scoring position. Eovaldi threw 22 of his 39 offerings for strikes (56.4%), his lowest strike % since September 14, 2023 against the Blue Jays (54.8%, 40/73), per TruMedia.

Righty Luke Jackson earned his first win of 2025 after coming in to pitch the eighth where he gave up one walk. His record now sits at 1–4 with an ERA of 4.86.

Left-hander Robert Garcia struck out two in the ninth to record his third save of the year.

It Ain’t Easy Being Green

Blue Jays reliever Chad Green took the loss after giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits in the eighth. He also walked one and struck out one. Green now owns a record of 1–1 with an ERA of 3.47.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy discussed reliever Jacob Latz, who came in to relieve Eovaldi in the third, and pitched three scoreless frames. “Latzy gave us all we needed,” he said. “He’s been throwing the ball well lately, which is good because we’ve been short staffed. So he gave us the length we needed there. Again, taking Evo out was just a precaution. We’ll continue to evaluate him, and he should be able to make his next start.”

Eovaldi’s Postgame Comments

After Bochy exited the interview room, Eovaldi took his seat, and reflected on Tuesday’s game. “It’s awesome that they were able to pick me up today,” he said of the bullpen. “I don’t like coming out of the game early. I don’t like coming out before the fifth, really. They were able to come in and do the job. It was a huge one for us.”

“The triceps tightness been going on for the last few games or so, but we’ve been able to manage it,” Eovaldi said. “Today just felt a lot tighter. … [Pitching coach Mike Maddux] does a great job of paying attention to what we’re doing, what we got going on, and just being honest with everybody. Ultimately, he kind of made that decision for me. It’s a good thing for us. We got a lot of season left, and we want to make sure that we stay healthy.”