Rangers 6, Athletics 2
ARLINGTON, Texas (Jul 22) — (Nate Miller) The Texas Rangers took control of Tuesday’s contest, beating the Athletics, 6–2, in front of a crowd of 23,032. They were fueled by home runs by Adolis Garcia, Marcus Semien, and Corey Seager. The Rangers are starting to come to life as they are 10-3-1 over their last 14 series. For the second time in less than a week, the Rangers will have the chance to complete a three-game sweep. The series finale between these two clubs is set for Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. It will be a duel of lefties as JP Sears (7–8, 5.13 ERA) will toe the slab for the Athletics, while the Rangers will counter with Patrick Corbin (6–7, 3.91 ERA).
Garcia, Semien, Seager Go Deep
It was a quick start for the Athletics in the top of the first against starter Jacob deGrom. On a 1–2 pitch, Lawrence Butler lined a leadoff homer to right, his 13th of the year.
The Rangers tied it in similar fashion in the bottom of the fourth off starter J.T. Ginn. This time, it was Garcia who led off with a home run, sending it over the wall in left-center. It marked his 14th dinger of the season.
Fast forward to the bottom of the sixth. The Rangers took the lead with Sean Newcomb on the mound for the Athletics. With one out, Semien stepped to the plate and blasted one to left. There was a question as to whether it was fair or foul. The A’s challenged and there was sufficient evidence to uphold the call.
The Rangers broke it open in the bottom of the seventh with reliever Justin Sterner on the mound. With two outs in the frame, Josh Jung reached on a single up the middle. Kyle Higashioka nudged him to second with a single to left.
This brought Athletics manager Mark Kotsay to the mound to bring in Hogan Harris.
On deck was Josh Smith, who plated Jung with another single to left. That brought Seager to the dish. He worked the count full before launching a three-run blast to right-center to make it 6–1 Rangers.
The Athletics got one back in the top of the eighth against reliever Robert Garcia. Jacob Wilson reached on a one-out throwing error by Garcia. After Nick Kurtz flied to left, Brent Rooker drew a walk. That brought Ranger killer Shea Langeliers to the dish. He scored Wilson by lining a single to left.
What Went Right for the Athletics
(Evan Thompson)
Took Early Lead
Butler hit a leadoff home run to put the Athletics ahead directly out of the gate.
Starting Pitching
Ginn had a strong five-inning outing. Since he is not starting full-time, the Athletics had him on a lower pitch-count limit than they otherwise would have. But in his five innings, he was extremely efficient, holding the Rangers to one run on five hits, walking one and striking out two. The lone blemish was the Garcia leadoff homer in the fourth.
“Great outing by JT,” Kotsay said. “We had about 55-60 pitches, and he walked off the mound, I think, right in that number after five innings. (Editor’s Note: He did. 58.) One mistake to Garcia, but overall, he got the ball on the ground. That’s what he does effectively. We played pretty good defense behind him, and that was a step in the right direction for him to go out as a starter tonight, get through five innings, and show the ability to pound the zone and get outs.”
Ginn said his goal, knowing his pitch limit, was to get quick outs via ground balls. “That’s my goal every time I go out there,” Ginn said. “Try to be in the zone early and get some ground balls. I was able to do that today.”
What Went Wrong for the Athletics
Bats Went Cold after Leadoff Homer
Unfortunately for the Athletics, they only managed three more baserunners the rest of deGrom’s outing, which lasted until the top of the seventh.
Missed Opportunities
Two of those baserunners reached second base, one after a one-out Nick Kurtz stolen base in the fourth and the other after a Tyler Soderstrom leadoff double in the fifth. In each case, the remaining batters of the inning struck out, so the Athletics could not even manufacture a run let alone drive one in with a hit. Additionally, in the entire game, the Athletics left seven runners on base with four in scoring position. Kotsay gave credit to deGrom for most of his team’s inability to capitalize. “When he gets a baserunner on, he takes it from a seven to a 10. You saw that tonight. He’s got a different gear. That’s what the aces do, really.”
Bottom of the Sixth & Bottom of the Seventh
The Rangers padded their lead by scoring five runs across the bottoms of the sixth and seventh against Sean Newcomb, Justin Sterner, and Hogan Harris. They pounded the trio with five hits, two of which were homers.
What Went Right for the Rangers
(Nate Miller) For the second night in a row, the Rangers showed their resilient side. The home runs by the Law Firm of Garcia, Semien, and Seager were crucial. However, the Rangers’ pitching staff managed to get out of some tough jams all evening.
What Went Wrong for the Rangers
It seems as though Langeliers enjoys tormenting the Rangers. He reminded everyone of his favorite pastime Tuesday with his RBI single in the eighth.
Another Nice Outing for deGrom
Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom notched his 10th win and 12th quality start of 2025, both the most on the Rangers staff. His final line was 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 1 HR, 86 pitches/60 strikes. He lowered his ERA to 2.28, third in the AL at the conclusion of Tuesday’s tilt. His record for 2025 improves to 10–2 with an ERA of 2.28.
After the long ball, deGrom retired 18 of the final 21 hitters he faced. His nine strikeouts were the second-highest single-game total this year. He joined teammate Nathan Eovaldi as the only Rangers hurlers since 2020 to collect 10 wins through his first 20 starts of a campaign.
Ginn’s Evening
Athletics starter J.T. Ginn took no decision in his second start of the season against the Rangers, his 12th appearance and fifth start of 2025 overall. His line was 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 58 pitches/35 strikes.
Ginn made his first start Tuesday since May 19 against the Los Angeles Angels, as he had worked out of the bullpen in his last seven outings. He retired each of his last six batters faced after surrendering the solo homer to García in the fourth inning. Ginn has given up one or more home runs in each of his last three starts.
Bochy’s Postgame Comments
After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy gave his impression of deGrom’s strong start. “He’s as consistent as you can have,” he said. “Every start, he gives us a tremendous job. A lot of swing and miss tonight. He’s just so fun to watch. I keep saying it, he’s so good at what he does with the stuff, location and everything. He gives up a leadoff homer and after that shuts them down.”
deGrom’s Postgame Comments
Jacob deGrom also gave his take on the evening. “I was just moving the ball around a little bit more, trying not to be one sided and mixing the changeup a little bit more,” he said. “I had a good feel for the slider. We went in a few times up, just trying to consistently move it around so they’re not looking in one spot. I was looking at how guys are approaching me and how I used to pitch. And I was just trying to not be as predictable as I have been.”
“I feel good,” deGrom reiterated. “Like I said before, the goal is to make as many starts as I can. We’ll have to see what innings look like. But right now, I feel good, and I’m communicating that with them, and let’s keep going.”
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