Rangers Walk It Off against Diamondbacks

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

May 13, 2026

Rangers 6, Diamondbacks 5

ARLINGTON, Texas (May 13) — The Texas Rangers turned a heartbreaker into a celebration as they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6–5, Wednesday night in front of a crowd of 26,049. Danny Jansen gave his team a walk-off single and their second consecutive series win on a beautiful night in Arlington with the retractable roof open. With this homestand wrapped up, the Rangers begin a nine-game road trip starting with three against the Houston Astros. That set will get underway Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm Central at Daikin Park. Both teams have yet to name their starting pitchers for the series opener as of press time.

The Diamondbacks will begin the last leg of their six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. The opener will be Friday with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm Mountain time at Coors Field. Right-hander Merrill Kelly (2–3, 7.62 ERA) will take the hill for the Diamondbacks. The Rockies have yet to name their starter as of press time.

Smash Burger

Both teams played a game of Hot Potato with an imaginary zero for the first four innings and change. The Rangers broke the seal in the bottom of the fifth with right-hander Ryne Nelson on the mound. Evan Carter hit a leadoff single that was out of the reach of Vargas at first. Nelson struck out Ezequiel Duran swinging to bring up Alejandro Osuna. Carter trotted to second when Nelson hit Osuna with the next pitch. Up next was Jake Burger, who blasted a three-run home run to right for his seventh long ball of the year.

The Diamondbacks tallied a run in the top of the sixth against reliever Cole Winn. Nolan Arenado started the frame with a double to left. After Vargas struck out swinging, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. plated Arenado with a double up the middle.

They cut the Rangers’ lead to one run in the bottom of the seventh with reliever Jalen Beeks pitching. Ketel Marte hit a one-out single to right. Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo reached on back-to-back walks. This led Rangers manager Skip Schumaker to bring in reliever Peyton Gray. The first batter he faced was Arenado, who drove in Marte with a sacrifice fly to right.

The Diamondbacks fought back in the top of the ninth off reliever Jacob Latz. The first batter Latz faced was Carroll who hit a line-drive double to right. A wild pitch from Latz moved him to third. Perdomo followed by drawing a free pass, and Arenado scored Carroll with a double to left to tie the game at three runs apiece.

The Diamondbacks took a 5–3 lead when Vargas proceeded to plate Perdomo and Arenado with a single to left.

Jansen’s Big Hit

Diamondbacks reliever Paul Sewald started the bottom of the ninth against a seemingly deflated Rangers team. Josh Jung singled to right with one out for his third hit of the game. After Carter flied to left, Duran scored Jung with a sharp double to left. Moments later, Osuna walked, putting the winning run on base. Duran crossed the dish on a single to left by Burger. The Diamondbacks made a change, bringing in Juan Morillo to relieve Sewald.

Up next was Jansen, who scored Osuna with a walk-off single to left. It marked the first walk-off win for the Rangers this season and the fifth walk-off plate appearance of Jansen’s career. It was also the first walk-off plate appearance by a Ranger since Dustin Harris hit an RBI double on September 5, 2025 against the Astros.

What Went Right for the Rangers

The Rangers kept capitalizing on their scoring chances on Wednesday. The one that stands out in the box score is the walk-off hit by Jansen. However, Burger made a significant contribution as well. He had his home run in the fifth as well as the game-tying hit in the ninth — the first such hit in the ninth or later in Burger’s career. The Rangers had their arms tangled in the ropes late in the game but were able to fight their way loose and came out swinging.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

Walks hurt the Rangers on Wednesday. Their pitching staff allowed eight walks total, with four coming from starter Kumar Rocker. The ninth inning was somewhat of a gauntlet for them with the three runs that Latz surrendered.

No-Decision for Rocker

Rangers starter Kumar Rocker turned in his first scoreless start of the season Tuesday. His final line was 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K, 97 pitches/59 strikes. Wednesday marked his third scoreless outing across 25 career major league starts. He posted career-high totals in pitches thrown, with 97, and walks, with four.

The win went to right-hander Cal Quantrill, who recorded all three outs in the top of the ninth after Latz gave up the two-run single to Vargas. Quantrill gave up one hit and struck out one. He now owns a record of 2–0 with an ERA of 3.77.

Nelson’s Outing

Diamondbacks righty Ryne Nelson made his ninth start of the season and did not factor into the decision despite covering a season-high seven stanzas in a Quality Start. His line was 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R-ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 8 K, 88 pitches/64 strikes. Wednesday marked his first career start of seven or more innings pitched, eight or more strikeouts, and no walks. Nelson retired 12 of his first 13 batters, facing only one over the minimum through four scoreless innings, before allowing the leadoff single to Carter in the fifth, plunking Osuna, and surrendering a three-run shot to Burger to break the 0-0 stalemate…following the home run, he retired eight of the final nine batters he faced.

Schumaker’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Schumaker spoke of the momentum this win gives his team prior to their upcoming nine-game road trip. “For them to come back in the ninth was big,” he said. “JJ (Josh Jung) and Zeke (Ezequiel Duran) sparking that rally and Danny (Jansen) with the huge hit. It could have been the difference between an inflating or deflating clubhouse. They’re super excited. (Jacob) Latz has been so good this year and he had an off night tonight. It was good for us to pick him up with the win. He was tired. I pitched him on back-to-back nights with a day off but he was gassed. Hopefully this win can help him enjoy the off day tomorrow.”