ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, the Texas Rangers showcased their offensive prowess and solid pitching, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 in the series opener at Globe Life Field. The game, attended by 24,483 fans, marked a significant moment for Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle, who earned his first win since April 3, 2023, by delivering an impressive performance on the mound.
Mahle (1-0) was dominant, allowing just one hit and two walks over five shutout innings while striking out five batters. The only blemish on his record came from a two-out single by Yandy Díaz in the third inning. This outing was a stark contrast to his last start against the Boston Red Sox, where he struggled, lasting only 1 2/3 innings while walking three and allowing two hits.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023 while with the Minnesota Twins, Mahle signed with Texas as a free agent in December 2023. He made three starts last August without securing a win, but his performance on Friday night proved that he is back to form.
The Rangers’ offense came alive in the third inning, scoring four runs to take control of the game. Josh Smith led off the inning with a single, and after a series of hits, Kyle Higashioka delivered a key RBI double that highlighted the inning. The first five batters for Texas all recorded hits off Rays starter Zack Littell (0-2), who ultimately allowed five runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings.
Higashioka’s double came on a 1-0 slider that he drove down the left-field line, scoring Smith and igniting the Rangers’ rally. The inning was capped off by a solo home run from Smith in the seventh, extending the Rangers’ lead to 5-2. Smith finished the game with two hits, contributing significantly to his team’s success.
Despite the Rangers’ strong performance, the Rays did manage to score twice in the seventh inning. After Christopher Morel and Kameron Misner led off the inning with a single and a double against Texas reliever Shawn Armstrong, both players crossed the plate on wild pitches. Morel scored on a wild pitch from Armstrong, while Misner scored on a wild pitch from Chris Martin, ending a remarkable stretch of 25 consecutive scoreless innings for Rangers pitchers.
This scoreless streak was the longest for Texas since a 26-inning stretch in June, showcasing the effectiveness of their pitching staff in recent games. Luke Jackson came in to close the game, striking out two batters in the ninth inning to secure his fourth save of the season.
The Rangers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their weekend series against the Rays. In Saturday’s matchup, Texas will send right-hander Jacob deGrom (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound, who is expected to be capped at around 85 pitches after throwing 73 in his season debut last Sunday. He will face Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (1-0, 3.00), who has a solid track record in March and April, boasting a perfect 4-0 record during these months in his career.
As the series progresses, both teams will be keen to make their mark early in the season. The Rangers have shown they can compete at a high level, and with Mahle’s resurgence and the offensive firepower on display, they will be a team to watch as the season unfolds. The Rays, on the other hand, will look to bounce back and find their rhythm as they navigate through the early part of the season.
In summary, the Texas Rangers are off to a promising start, with their pitching staff and bats coming together in a significant way. Fans are eager to see if they can maintain this level of play as they face off against the Rays in the coming games.
