The Texas Rangers kept postseason pressure on the Houston Astros by capitalizing on a massive early inning against the Minnesota Twins.
The Texas Rangers are patiently awaiting the results of the Houston Astros vs. Athletics game as it'll determine exactly what needs to happen in the regular-season finale on Sunday, Sept. 27.
When it comes to the Rangers, they did their job, defeating the Minnesota Twins 6-2 to improve to 80-81 on the year.
It's already been confirmed that the division winner will finish at or below .500, and that's the first time in MLB history that has occurred.
Minnesota may have jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the Rangers stormed back with a four-run second inning at Target Field, one that would help propel them to victory.
Rangers homer twice in four-run victory
Shockingly, neither of the team's home runs came during that four-run second inning. Catcher Danny Jansen went yard for the seventh time this season with a blast in the fourth inning, and then Jake Burger would hit one of his own in the fifth.
Both were solo shots, but those two runs were a nice bit of insurance as the Twins scored a run in the bottom of the eighth.
The Rangers bullpen delivered in a game that could've ended this team's season. Ultimately, this was a much-needed win to keep the Rangers' playoff hopes in good spirits, but they know that unless the Astros lose on Saturday, Sept. 26, their fate is in Houston's hands due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Rangers bullpen only allowed one run in 4.2 innings
Seeing as they had a 6-1 lead once Nathan Eovaldi exited the game after his 4.1 innings of work, it would've been quite the meltdown if the Twins were able to come back in this one.
No holds or saves were awarded in the contest, and Eovaldi was pulled just shy of being able to record a decision.
Instead, it went to Robert Garcia, who is now 2-1 this season. Garcia, 30, pitched 1.2 innings and only allowed one hit.
In total, the Rangers bullpen only allowed four hits. Two of those came from Tyler Alexander, the same pitcher who would allow the lone run to score after Eovaldi's exit.
The Rangers pitching staff recorded seven total strikeouts to two walks.
It's crazy to think that the Rangers offense struck out 11 times, but ultimately that didn't play into the results of this one.
The Astros and Athletics have a first pitch scheduled for five minutes prior to the Rangers vs. Twins game tomorrow, so these teams will be playing at nearly identical times.
