{"id":446992,"date":"2026-09-25T04:08:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T04:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/446992\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T04:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T04:08:12","slug":"rangers-bounce-back-against-mets-as-al-west-race-reaches-final-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/446992\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers bounce back against Mets as AL West race reaches final days"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n

ARLINGTON\u00a0\u2014 Rangers left-handed pitcher Tyler Alexander set a career high for appearances more than a month ago, and Thursday afternoon, threw in his 73rd game of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be a little bit of a nutjob to be a bullpen guy because you do get abused,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cYou laugh through the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Right-handed pitcher Chase Silseth, who appeared in his career-high 72nd game the same day, broke into laughter one locker down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cYeah,\u201d Silseth said. \u201cI don\u2019t know if you can nail it more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The abuse, to borrow Alexander\u2019s terminology, might be close to a payoff. The Rangers<\/a> won 3-1 over the New York Mets at Globe Life Field Thursday afternoon as a bullpen \u201cgoing on guts right now,\u201d as manager Skip Schumaker<\/a> said, logged four scoreless innings to clinch the victory. It pulled them back atop the AL West<\/a> with four games left to play in the regular season and capped a\u00a0homestand in which the collective pitching staff leapt through hoops to survive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cGuys have got to step up,\u201d said left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia, who appeared in five of the homestand\u2019s nine games. \u201cThis is the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) watches his two-run home run to left field during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) takes the mound before the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers players react after a single to left by Texas Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue (14) during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) celebrates his two-run home run with first baseman Jake Burger (21) and second baseman Justin Foscue (14) during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) is caught stealing by New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) during the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) forces out New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto (22) as he turns a double play during the third inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) throws a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) throws a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue (14) fields a ground ball from New York Mets first baseman Brett Baty during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) celebrates his double alongside New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) talks with New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) catches a fly ball for an out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run as fans and teammates celebrate during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) high fives third base coach Corey Ragsdale after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) hits an infield single during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) runs down Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) for an out during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge flies out to Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) high fives left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) after an out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers third baseman Ezequiel Duran (20) fields a ground ball from New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) shakes hands with catcher Elias D\u00edaz (35) after winning a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers players thank fans after winning their final regular season home baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n

Rangers right-handed pitcher Kumar Rocker allowed one run in five innings against the team that drafted him (but did not sign him<\/a>) out of college four years ago. He was at only 74 pitches after five innings, but as he\u2019s been wont to do on this homestand, Schumaker turned to his high-leverage bullpen arms early and was rewarded.\u00a0In the sixth inning, with a left-handed hitter that could change the game with one swing due up, Garcia entered. He retired the side in order and used half of the pitches he threw to get designated hitter Juan Soto to pop out to catcher Elias D\u00edaz in foul territory for the second out.<\/p>\n

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It started a run of four consecutive relievers who each logged a scoreless frame to maintain the lead. Alexander threw a scoreless seventh inning against a pocket of three left-handed hitters. Silseth threw a scoreless eighth inning against two righties and a switch hitter. Left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery\u00a0\u2014 who pitched on consecutive days for only the second time in his career\u00a0\u2014 threw a scoreless ninth inning against the top of the Mets’ lineup.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe third time around, depending on what the score was, I wanted the left-handedness at the top as many times as I could,\u201d Schumaker said of the decision to employ his bullpen early. \u201cI showed that for three straight games. I was hoping Juan Soto wasn\u2019t going to beat us. That was the goal for the set. Our pitchers did a really good job when I allowed them to pitch to those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soto\u2019s pop out in the sixth inning was only the second time in a six at-bat span that he was thrown a pitch. The Rangers intentionally walked him three times in Wednesday\u2019s game (including once to load the bases) and again in Thursday\u2019s game (with a runner on base in the top of the second inning). That\u2019s tied for the most amount of intentional walks that the Rangers have issued one player in any two-game span in franchise history.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bichette went 0 for 3 with a walk and a double-play-inducing ground out after Soto\u2019s intentional free passes ahead of him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Had Schumaker ever employed the intentional walk that often in a two-game span?<\/p>\n

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\u201cI probably should\u2019ve earlier in the season with a particular player,\u201d Schumaker said with a nod to Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, who, for the record, was intentionally walked three times in a two-game span this year. \u201cYou have to do some uncommon things right now. Walking the bases loaded is not ideal for multiple reasons, analytically, there\u2019s a lot of reasons why you never walk the bases loaded even if the base open is at third base. But you have to take shots, and I felt good about giving our guys the best chance, and the best chance was to get the guy behind him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The concept of best chances was a constant throughout the homestand, and it\u2019s why Garcia, Alexander, Silseth and left-handed pitcher Jacob Latz<\/a> were employed early, often or both. Latz pitched two innings of Wednesday\u2019s game, was \u201cunavailable\u201d in Thursday\u2019s, per\u00a0Schumaker, and led to left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery\u2019s second career save when he retired the side in order.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alexander (who\u2019s pitched in the first, fifth, sixth and seventh innings on this homestand), Silseth (who\u2019s pitched in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings) and Garcia (who\u2019s pitched in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings) have combined for a 3.68 ERA in 14 2\/3 innings in the club\u2019s last nine games. They\u2019ve helped anchor a bullpen that technically logged more innings (46 2\/3) on this homestand than the rotation did (34 1\/3).\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve kind of been playing playoff baseball for the last two weeks, to where like, we\u2019re in the game early and throwing a lot,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say we\u2019re in roles we\u2019re not used to because we\u2019ve kind of been doing that throughout the year. We\u2019re kind of just making us work in pockets, and Skip\u2019s done a great job of putting us in situations that we\u2019re supposed to succeed in.\u201d<\/p>\n

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