Rangers' Drought Continues with Loss to Twins

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

September 23, 2025

Twins 4, Rangers 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (Sept 23) — The Texas Rangers‘ losing streak stretched to eight games as they fell to the Minnesota Twins, 4–1, Tuesday. This game officially eliminates the Rangers from playoff contention in 2025, meaning their season will end on the road against the Cleveland Guardians on September 28. As for the Twins, their biggest hit of the evening was an RBI single by Kody Clemens in the sixth inning. The Rangers look to even this three-game set Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Righty Taj Bradley (6–8, 5.20 ERA) will take the mound for the Twins, while Jacob deGrom (12–8, 3.01 ERA) will make his final home start in the middle game.

Jack by Joc

The Rangers opened the scoring early on. In the top of the first, Joc Pederson launched an 0–1 pitch off Twins starter Zebby Matthews to right-center for a leadoff homer, his ninth of the year.

The Twins responded in the bottom of the third against lefty Patrick Corbin. Clemens led off with a double to right. Christian Vazquez followed with a single up the middle. Up next was Byron Buxton who scored Clemens by grounding into a 5–4 force play. On deck was Austin Martin. He hit an infield single that eluded Ezequiel Duran at short. Martin moved himself into scoring position moments later with his 11th stolen base of the season. Ryan Jeffers lined a single to right, scoring Buxton in the process to give the Twins a 2–1 lead.

The Twins added two more in the top of the sixth against reliever Hoby Milner. Carson McCusker drew a leadoff walk and then left the game for pinch-runner James Outman. That brought up Brooks Lee, who advanced Outman to second with a single to right. A single to left by Clemens scored Outman, extending the lead to 3–1. That brought out Rangers manager Bruce Bochy to bring in reliever Cole Winn. Winn promptly plunked Vazquez, sending him to first. He made up for it by striking out Buxton, however. Up next was Martin, who drove in Lee by grounding into a 6–5 force play. This brought the score to its final state.

What Went Right for the Twins

It’s not every day you see multiple runs scored by way of a force play. The Twins kept the ball on the ground on Tuesday and several times, it didn’t even make it out of the infield. Sometimes outs can be productive and lucky.

What Went Wrong for the Twins

The only time the Twins flinched all night was on the second pitch in the bottom of the first when Pederson hit his leadoff blast.

Early Shower for Corbin

Rangers lefty Patrick Corbin was saddled with his 11th loss of the season (now 7–11) after allowing two runs, both earned, in 3 2/3 innings Tuesday. In addition to his 7–11 record, he has an ERA of 4.34. Corbin has tossed fewer than five innings in each of his last three games after completing five or more in each of his prior three starts.

The Rangers are now 2–6 when Corbin fails to complete five innings in a start this season. The southpaw still carries a 3.18 ERA over his last six appearances, five of them starts, beginning August 26. He did not yield a home run in this contest and has now gone a season-high 18 1/3 stanzas without allowing a long ball.

Matthews’ Outing

Twins starter Zebby Matthews tied a career high with seven innings pitched and earned the win, improving his record to 5–6 with an ERA of 5.56. His line was 4 H, 1 R-ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 90 pitches/65 strikes. He held the Rangers scoreless after Pederson’s blast to open the first inning.

Right-hander Cole Sands came in and hurled a 1–2–3 ninth to nail down his third save of the year.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Bochy wasn’t shy with his words. “We looked dead,” he said. “I know we’ve got some injuries and things, but we just couldn’t get anything going. We made too many mistakes. That’s not going to work tonight. Sure, we’ve dealt with a tough week with the play. This is not how we want to finish.”