Really? Texas Rangers Lose 7th Straight After Bullpen Implodes (Again)

The Texas Rangers bullpen failed to hold a lead again as the losing streak reached seven games.

The Texas Rangers are figuring out new ways to lose games.

Their season-worst losing streak hit seven games after the Minnesota Twins rallied with three runs in the eighth to beat the Rangers 7-5 Thursday at Target Field.

Carlos Correa tied the game with an RBI double and Ryan Jeffers' two-run homer put the Twins ahead in the eighth to blow past the Rangers' 5-4 lead. 

Rangers reliever Josh Sborz. Sborz failed to record an out and surrendered Correa's double. He was replaced by Will Smith with two on and no outs. Smith induced a double play but Jeffers sent a first-pitch slider into the left-field stands for the go-ahead runs.

The Rangers (72-55) homered three times including a first-inning lead-off homer from Marcus Semien, a third-inning blast from Corey Seager and a fourth-inning shot from Leody Taveras.

Travis Jankowski's two-run single in the third gave Texas a 4-1 lead. 

The Twins (66-62) homered four times, including three against starter Andrew Heaney, who left after 4 1/3 innings. Royce Lewis' solo homer against Chris Stratton pulled the Twins to within 5-4 in the sixth.

The Rangers' lead in the AL West is down to one game on the Houston Astros, who lost to the Boston Red Sox 17-1 Thursday afternoon. The Seattle Mariners, who were off, moved into a tie for second place with the Astros.

Twins 7, Rangers 5

Here are the top moments from the Rangers series-opening game with the Twins:

No Rest For the Rangers

Beginning with Thursday's game in Minnesota, the Rangers will play 26 of the next 28 days through Sept. 20. The two off days (Aug. 31 and Sept. 7) come during their upcoming 11-day homestand. Texas plays on 36 of 39 dates from Thursday through the regular-season finale Oct. 2 in Seattle. Their only other off day is Sept. 21.

Jose Leclerc Is Dealing

Rangers reliever José Leclerc pitched another scoreless inning on Thursday, his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance in August.

Leclerc has held opponents scoreless on one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Entering Thursday's game, Leclerc's ERA had dropped from 3.15 to 2.68. Since being activated from the injured list on July 6, Leclerc has a 1.62 ERA in 16 2/3 innings in 15 games.

Heaney Struggles Again

Starter Andrew Heaney failed to complete five innings for his third consecutive start on Thursday.

Heaney left with one out in the fifth inning after allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk Thursday. He struck out five in 4 1/3 innings. The last time Heaney went at least five innings was against the Marlins on Aug. 6.

Up Next

Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning (9-5, 3.19) faces right-hander Sonny Gray (6-6, 3.15) in Game 2 at 7:10 p.m. Friday at Target Field.

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You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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