Texas Rangers pitcher Jordan Montgomery delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
ARLINGTON — The absurdity of these suddenly-first-place Rangers, their season, and their most unpredictable win yet is possibly best reflected in the fact that a veteran pitcher who’s worked all of twice in the last two weeks might have a legitimate claim to the game ball of a contest he didn’t even compete in.
“That happened,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said of the lynchpin moment of a momentous victory, “because of Trevor Williams.”
These are peculiar times, and in a 6-2 win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday night that flipped the tables in baseball’s strangest division, the Rangers might’ve peculiarmaxxed.
Article continues below this ad
They got only four outs from their starting pitcher. They broke bullpen emergency glass for the third time in four days. They needed a hurdle, a hit-by-pitch and hiccups from their opponent to build an advantage. They leapfrogged the Houston Astros, who are mired in a serious skid and lost 6-3 vs. the Atlanta Braves four hours south, to stand alone atop the American League West with seven regular season games left to play.
It all seems a bit improbable, but then again, the Rangers are one game above .500 for only the third time since last month’s trade deadline and are now on pace to host a first-round playoff game.
“That’s what we’re showing up every day for,” left fielder Wyatt Langford said, “it’s to play and try and get in the playoffs.”
For that present chance, Williams can be thanked, because through a convoluted series of events, he managed to help bail the Rangers out in consecutive games. The first was Friday’s 7-1 win, when in his first appearance in nine days, he pitched four scoreless innings and recorded the win. The second was Saturday’s win, when after right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill exited with right lat tightness in the second inning, the Rangers had enough bullpen depth to survive because of his performance the night prior.
The Rangers turned to left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery, who’d only pitched three times prior this month and was only available because Williams went as deep as he did the night before, when Quantrill abruptly walked off the pitcher’s mound with trainer Matt Lucero after he recorded the first out of the second inning. Montgomery — a starting pitcher by trade who’s worked out of the bullpen since he returned from elbow surgery — warmed up in front of a sold-out crowd of 38,399 fans.
Article continues below this ad
“I don’t know how many [warmup] pitches I actually threw,” Montgomery said with a chuckle, “but it felt like I was out there for an eternity.”
Montgomery then proceeded to pitch 3 2/3 scoreless, no-hit innings to mend the bridge between an abbreviated start and a well-worked bullpen. He turned the ball over to right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (whom the Blue Jays recorded their first hit and run off of in the sixth inning), left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia (who allowed a home run to pinch hitter Davis Schneider on the first pitch of the seventh inning), right-handed pitcher Chase Silseth (who worked around a pair of hits) and left-handed pitcher Jacob Latz (who threw in a rare non-save situation) for the win.
If it seems like a force to paint Williams as the hero, well, just ask the manager.
“That game, that outing right there, was because of Trevor Williams,” Schumaker said. “We wouldn’t have been able to do that. Monty was pitching that ninth inning [in Friday’s game] if Trevor couldn’t give us another inning. He was out of gas and said ‘I can give you one more if you need it.’ That’s what this team is all about right now.'”
Montgomery was the third starter-by-trade, alongside Eovaldi and Williams, to record three-plus relief innings in a win vs. a playoff hopeful on the homestand.
Article continues below this ad
“You’re looking at your bullpen, and sometimes, you’re trying to figure out why you have three length guys?” Schumaker said. “Then you’re like, ‘oh, maybe that’s the reason why.'”
Said third baseman Josh Jung, who hit a solo home run off of right-handed pitcher José Soriano in the bottom of the first inning, and has hit .345 since he returned from the injured list: “For Monty to come out in that spot, throw up zeroes, I mean, we had no-hit ball going there for a while, that’s incredible.”
So was the fact that the Rangers scored five of their six runs at least partly because they capitalized on a Blue Jays mistake. They plated two runs against Soriano in the second inning, the first when left fielder Wyatt Langford scored on Gold Glove shortstop Andrés Giménez’ throwing error, and the second when second baseman Nicky Lopez scored after Soriano bounced a wild pitch past All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk.
In the sixth inning, against a mix of pitchers, the Rangers scored three more runs to provide their bullpen a cushion. Soriano hit Jung with a pitch and allowed a single to right fielder Brandon Nimmo before Langford pulled a ball toward the warning track. Blue Jays left fielder Myles Straw gave chase, abruptly stopped, and watched the ball hit the dirt as Jung scored from second base. Two at-bats later, after right-handed pitcher Paul Sewald intentionally walked Lopez for the first time in his career to load the bases, catcher Danny Jansen was plunked by a pitch to drive in Nimmo for another run. In the next at-bat, after center fielder Evan Carter flew out to his own position, Langford sprinted down the third base line, hurdled Kirk, dove backwards and slapped the plate for the team’s sixth run.
“I just had my head down running,” Langford said. “I knew it was going to be close. I just looked up and saw he was right in the way.”
Article continues below this ad
The Rangers, who’ve won six or their last seven games, all against teams in postseason contention, haven’t seemed too concerned about what’s in their way as of late.
“We’ll celebrate this for another hour or so,” Schumaker said, “and then figure out what we have pitching-wise going into tomorrow.”
Let us know what you’ve got drawn up.
The weirder the better, please.
Article continues below this ad
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford leaps over Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk as he scores on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Evan Carter during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers designated hitter Corey Seager breaks his bat as he bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
A solo home run by Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung clears the wall behind Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill hands the ball to manager Skip Schumaker as he leaves the game during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers second baseman Nicky Lopez reacts after being hit by a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Fans hold up signs for a “Stand Up For Cancer” moment after the fourth inning of a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Fans hold up signs for a “Stand Up For Cancer” moment after the fourth inning of a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi reacts after the final out in the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger loses his bat as he strikes out swinging during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
The bat remains caught in the backstop netting after Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger lost his bat while striking out swinging during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen is hit by a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford leaps over Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk as he scores on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Evan Carter during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford leaps over Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk as he scores on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Evan Carter during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford leaps over Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk as he scores on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Evan Carter during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford gets back to the plate to score past Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Paul Sewald (43) as he scores on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Evan Carter during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford laughs after he first hurdled Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (left) then got back to the plate to score past pitcher Paul Sewald (right) on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Evan Carter during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford celebrates in the dugout after he first hurdled Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk then got back to the plate to score past pitcher Paul Sewald on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Evan Carter during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz takes the mound to warm up during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter makes a catch on a fly ball off the bat of Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays for the final out in ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz celebrates after the final out of a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz (left) celebrates with left fielder Wyatt Langford after the final out of a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz (right) high fives second baseman Nicky Lopez (33) after the final out of a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News