The Texas Rangers edged past the Tampa Bay Rays in a heart-stopping 3-2 thriller at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The Rangers scored two runs but the Rays scored three runs, with the decisive hit coming from Cedric Mullins in the bottom of the eighth.
Cole Winn got the opening inning for the Rangers, handing things over to Marco Gonzales, who was in and out of trouble and lucky to make it through three innings, allowing just one run. That run, in the bottom of the third, gave the Rays a 1-0 lead which the Rangers tied a half inning later when pinch hitter Joc Pederson hit a ball that appeared destined for a threat-ending double play but turned into a run-scoring fielder’s choice error.
Gonzales' performance was a crucial factor in the game's outcome, as it allowed the Rangers to keep their lead. The Rangers took a lead in the middle innings when Texas sequenced into a run via an Alejandro Osuna single followed by a Wyatt Langford RBI double, which was Texas' only two hits of the game.
The Rays eventually tied the game on a solo home run by Jonny DeLuca off of Peyton Gray in the bottom of the sixth. If the Rangers had a strong lineup, they might have been able to prevent this turn of events.
However, the Rangers' lack of big league quality down the lineup and in the bullpen was evident in their inability to close out the game. The Rangers managed to avoid getting swept in the series, but they could have snuck another victory.
Player of the Game: Langford is Texas' best player, and sure enough, he was the only guy to hit an extra base and the only guy to drive in a run today, unless you are counting Pederson.
The Rangers will now head into a series against the Houston Astros, with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound opposite RHP Hunter Brown. The Friday evening first pitch from Daikin Park is scheduled for 7:15 pm CDT and will be available on Apple TV.
Source: Yahoo Sports