Adolis Garcia went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and scored the decisive run as the Texas Rangers defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-5 in 10 innings on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. Starting the bottom of the 10th on second base, Garcia crossed the plate on Josh Jung’s one-out infield single and an error by third baseman Jose Miranda.
Marcus Semien added a strong performance, going 3-for-5 with an RBI, helping the Rangers end a three-game losing streak. The Rangers’ bullpen delivered seven innings of one-run relief, with Andrew Chafin (4-2) earning the win after a scoreless 10th inning.
Despite not giving up an earned run, Minnesota closer Jhoan Duran (6-6) took the loss. Twins starter Pablo Lopez pitched six scoreless innings, giving up six hits and three walks while striking out three. Ryan Jeffers was 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs, but the Twins’ three-game winning streak was snapped. Minnesota took an early lead in the top of the first when Miranda hit a one-out triple off Rangers starter Tyler Mahle, followed by a double from Trevor Larnach.
Jeffers hit his 19th home run of the season, a 401-foot blast that gave Minnesota a 3-0 lead. The Twins extended their advantage in the top of the third inning. Willi Castro led off with a single, followed by a one-out single from Trevor Larnach.
A wild pitch by Tyler Mahle advanced both runners, and Jeffers drove Castro in with a single to left. Mahle, who had given up four runs on six hits in three innings, was replaced by Gerson Garabito. In his third start of the season, Mahle struck out one and did not issue any walks.
Texas posed a threat in the bottom of the sixth when Lopez allowed a leadoff double to Adolis Garcia and then hit Nathaniel Lowe with a pitch. Despite a forceout by Josh Jung, Lopez managed to retire Wyatt Langford and Carson Kelly to end the inning. After throwing 107 pitches, Lopez was substituted by Jorge Alcala.
In the bottom of the seventh, Leody Taveras led off with a single off Alcala, followed by Marcus Semien’s double to right-center, which scored Texas’ first run. Corey Seager then hit a double, narrowing the gap to 4-2.
After Josh Smith flied out, Garcia tied the game with a two-run homer, his 21st of the season.