Rangers Playoff Hopes Suffer Critical Blow After 12th-Inning Marlins Collapse

The Texas Rangers’ postseason ambitions took a devastating hit Friday night. The Miami Marlins scored three runs in the 12th inning to secure a 6-4 victory. The loss occurred at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. It marks the Rangers’ fifth consecutive defeat. This slump severely damages their American League wild card chances with time running out.

According to Field Level Media, the Marlins have been red-hot. They have now won eight of their last nine games. This late-season surge is spoiling the hopes of contenders like Texas. The Rangers are now five games behind for the final playoff spot.

Extra-Inning Heartbreak Seals Rangers’ Fate

The game was a tense pitchers’ duel for nine innings. Marlins starter Janson Junk was brilliant. He threw seven strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits.

Texas starter Tyler Mahle was equally effective. He pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, striking six batters. The game was tied 1-1 after Miami’s Javier Sanoja hit a solo home run in the seventh.

Both teams scored twice in the 10th inning. Miami took a 3-1 lead on run-scoring hits from Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards. Rangers slugger Rowdy Tellez immediately answered. He crushed a dramatic two-out, two-run homer to tie the game again.

Marlins’ 12th-Inning Uprising Ends Rangers’ Hope

The Marlins’ offense finally broke through in the 12th. Jakob Marsee hit a crucial double to drive in the go-ahead run. Brian Navarreto followed with another double to extend the lead. Dane Myers then delivered a single for a vital insurance run.

Miami’s bullpen sealed the win despite allowing a run. The Rangers’ offense managed only four hits all night. Their inability to generate runs proved costly in the critical extra frames.

The loss leaves Texas with a steep hill to climb. Only eight games remain in their regular season. Their margin for error is now completely gone.

Playoff Picture Grows Dim for Reigning Champs

This losing streak could ultimately define the Rangers’ season. They are now five games behind both Houston and Boston. Catching two teams with so little time left is a monumental task.

Every loss from here on out brings elimination closer. The pressure will be immense for their final games. The team’s resilience will be tested immediately.

The Rangers’ playoff hopes now hang by the slimmest of threads after this crushing extra-inning defeat. Their path to the postseason requires a near-perfect finish and help from others. This loss to the Marlins will be a tough one to forget.

Dropping this nugget your way

How many games back are the Texas Rangers now?

The Rangers are now five games behind the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox. They are chasing the final American League wild card spot. Only eight games remain in the regular season.

Who hit the game-tying home run for the Rangers in the 10th inning?

Rowdy Tellez hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th. His clutch swing temporarily tied the game at 3-3. It forced the game into extra innings before the Marlins’ 12th-inning rally.

How did the Miami Marlins perform recently?

The Marlins have been one of the hottest teams in baseball. They have won four games in a row. Their record in the last nine games is eight wins and only one loss.

How did the starting pitchers perform in the game?

Both starters were excellent. Miami’s Janson Junk pitched seven innings of one-run ball. Texas’s Tyler Mahle threw 4.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

Trusted Sources: Field Level Media