Rangers Succumb to Phillies in Series Opener

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

August 9, 2025

Phillies 9, Rangers 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (Aug 8) — The Texas Rangers tried to wake up their bats, but there wasn’t a stick of dynamite in sight as they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 9–1, Friday. On the other side, a three-run home run by Trea Turner helped lift the Phillies to the lopsided victory. The Rangers will have a chance to even the three-game series Saturday evening with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Left-hander Jesus Luzardo (10–5, 4.32 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies, while righty Jacob deGrom (10–4, 2.80 ERA) will toe the slab for the Rangers.

Blast by Schwarber

The Phillies took an early 1–0 lead in the top of the first against Rangers right-hander Merrill Kelly. With one out, Kyle Schwarber stepped in and launched it to right for his 41st homer of the year.

The Rangers tied it up in the bottom of the first off Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez. Corey Seager lined a one-out single to center. Marcus Semien followed with a single of his own to center.

After Wyatt Langford was called out on strikes, Josh Jung scored Seager with a single to right.

In the top of the fourth, Brandon Marsh led off with a blast to right, his seventh of the season, to give the Phillies a 2–1 lead.

Later in the inning, Otto Kemp and Bryson Stott both drew walks.

Up next was Turner, who doubled to left to plate both runners to extend the lead to 4–1.

Phillies Add On

The Phillies broke it open in the top of the ninth against reliever Luis Curvelo. J.T. Realmuto lined a leadoff single to left. Semien tagged him out at second on a 5–4 force play grounded into by Nick Castellanos.

Later in the inning, Castellanos advanced to second when Max Kepler drew a free pass. Moments later, Edmundo Sosa moved both runners up with a single to left. On deck was Stott, who scored Castellanos and Kepler with a sharp double to left.

That brought Turner to the plate. He proceeded to connect on a 1–1 pitch, sending it to center for a three-run dinger.

What Went Right for the Phillies

Turner’s late-inning homer was merely icing on the cake for the Phillies. They kept finding ways to score, chasing Rangers starter Merrill Kelly away after 4 1/3 innings. The Phillies were patient, too. They drew nine walks on the night, five coming from Kelly.

What Went Wrong for the Phillies

Despite all the runs, the Phillies went 4–for–14 with runners in scoring position. As previously mentioned, the Rangers were very generous with the free passes. They left 11 men on base on top of the nine that scored.

Short Outing for Kelly

Rangers starter Merrill Kelly was charged with the loss in his home debut with the Rangers, bringing his record to 9–7 with a 3.38 ERA. His final line was 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 4 R-ER, 5 BB, 4 SO, 2 HR, 1 HBP, 94 pitches/56 strikes. Kelly issued a season-high five walks, his most since September 9, 2023 against the Chicago Cubs and second-most in any outing of his career. He snapped a streak of eight straight starts of allowing three or fewer earned runs since June 21. Kelly had a 2.85 ERA during that span.

Nice Night for Sanchez

Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez earned his team-high 11th win, matching his career high for a season. He made his 16th quality start, tied for first in the NL. Sanchez has won two straight starts and is 6–1 with a 1.52 ERA over his last 9 starts, posting a 0.88 WHIP and .209 opp. BA (50-for-239) with three homers allowed, seven walks and 63 strikeouts over that stretch. He has lowered his season ERA from 3.05 to 2.36 in that span, a stretch in which he has allowed one or zero runs and posted a quality start in eight of nine starts. The Phillies are 17–6 in his 23 starts in 2025, scoring one or two runs in each of the six team defeats in his starts.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy looked understandably perplexed in the interview room. “We had some chances, had some men on base, we just couldn’t get that one more hit to keep things going … obviously, that’s what wins ballgames for you,” he said. “You’ve got to get those timely hits, and that’s the difference in baseball games, and it’s just been missing from us here recently.”

Kelly’s Postgame Comments

After Bochy’s exit, Kelly elaborated on a start that he bluntly described as “not good.” “I have to be better, especially against a team like that, I can’t afford to be putting that many people on base,” he said. “The solo homers, I can live with … but I knew I could only walk a tightrope so long by putting that many people on base, giving that many free passes. Eventually, it ended up coming back to bite me.”