Rangers Lose Second Straight to Phillies

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

August 9, 2025

Phillies 3, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON, Texas (Aug 9) — The Texas Rangers lost a close one to the Philadelphia Phillies, 3–2, Saturday thus losing the three-game series. The Phillies rode a two-run double by Max Kepler in the seventh inning. The Rangers, meanwhile, will try to salvage what’s left of this three-game set in the finale on Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Zack Wheeler (9–5, 2.64 ERA) will take the hill for the Phillies, while lefty Patrick Corbin (6–7, 3.91 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Rangers.

Pitchers Duel

The Rangers broke the seal in the bottom of the first against lefty Jesus Luzardo. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien made a splash with back-to-back singles to center.

Wyatt Langford plated Seager with a third consecutive single to center.

The Phillies grabbed a 3–1 lead in the top of the seventh off Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom.

With one out in the frame, Brandon Marsh singled to right. Harrison Bader moved Marsh to second by drawing a free pass. Up next was Kepler, who scored both runners by lining a double to right, his 16th of the season.

After Edmundo Sosa flied to center, the Rangers brought in reliever Danny Coulombe.

Due up was Bryson Stott. He drove in Kepler with a single to right.

The Rangers cut the lead to one run in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Matt Strahm.

Corey Seager hit a leadoff homer to left-center, getting the sellout crowd of 38,471 to their feet.

What Went Right for the Phillies

The Phillies were facing a tough pitcher in deGrom and he did well against them. They took advantage of the small handful of scoring opportunities they were given. Any time you’re going up against one of your opponents’ best pitchers, you really need to be alert.

What Went Wrong for the Phillies

Seager stood in the Phillies’ way Saturday. The homer he hit in the eighth made things a little too close for comfort for the Phillies.

Tough Loss for deGrom

Rangers righty Jacob deGrom shouldered a tough loss, turning in six scoreless frames before running into trouble in the seventh. That brings his record to 10–5 with a 2.86 ERA. His line was 6 2/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R-ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 99 pitches/67 strikes. He scattered four baserunners through his first six innings, allowing one runner into scoring position. deGrom allowed three straight baserunners with one out in the seventh, capped by the two-run double by Kepler that ended his shutout bid.

Luzardo’s Evening

Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo earned his 11th win Saturday. His line was 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, setting a new single-season career high. He benefitted from Phillies’ three-run seventh inning, as they took the lead just before his exit. He now owns a record of 11–5 with an ERA of 4.20.

Luzardo has now won three consecutive starts: 3-0, 1.89 (4 ER/19.0 IP) w/ 2 BB/15 SO, 0.84 WHIP and .197 opp. BA…posted his 3rd straight quality start and now has 13 QS on the year…last 6 starts: 4-0, 3.53 (14 ER/35.2 IP) w/ 1.01 WHIP and .198 opp. BA to drop season ERA from 4.44 to 4.20.

After tossing a spotless ninth inning with one strikeout, reliever Jhoan Duran earned his 19th save of the 2025 season.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy reflected on what he saw from deGrom. “He pitched really well,” Bochy said. “Great game, and it was tough not to get a win with the job he did. We just couldn’t keep it going. They scored two runs, and we would have liked to put up more for Jacob, but we fell flat.”