Down Big, Texas Rangers Explode to Win Fifth Straight

ARLINGTON – The Texas Rangers scored seven unanswered runs to rally from a five-run deficit to beat the Miami Marlins 9-8 Saturday afternoon at Globe Life Field.

The Rangers (65-46), who have won five in a row, trailed 5-0 after the Marlins (58-54) scored three in the third and two in the fourth before mounting their comeback.

Robbie Grossman's three-run homer in the fourth pulled Texas to within 5-3. Two-run homers by Corey Seager and Josh Jung gave the Rangers a 7-5 lead.

The Marlins scored three runs in the third, including two on Jorge Soler's double to center which Leody Taveras misplayed. Taveras attempted to make a sliding catch on the sinking liner. Instead, it bounced in front and skipped past him to the outfield wall. Miami added two more runs in the fourth to build its 5-0 lead and Nick Fortes' solo homer in the sixth made it 7-6.

Nathaniel Lowe had run-scoring doubles to left field in the seventh and eighth innings to give Texas a cushion before Miami scored twice in the ninth.

Texas increased its lead atop the AL West to 2 1/2 games with the Houston Astros losing to the New York Yankees earlier on Saturday.

Rangers 9, Marlins 8

Notables from Saturday's second game between Texas and Miami.<br>

Austin Hedges' Debut

Catcher Austin Hedges made his Rangers debut with a start Saturday. He threw out Jazz Chisholm trying to steal second for the final out in the third inning. It was the first steal attempt against with Texas. Hedges was acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Rangers sent international bonus pool money to the Pirates for the veteran. Jonah Heim's left wrist injury prompted the move with the Rangers preferring to keep three catchers on the active roster, including Mitch Garver and Sam Huff.

“I'm not going to call it an insurance policy, but it's a rotation between the three to cover while Jonah's out,” Rangers general manager Chris Young said. Hedges was 0-for-3 with a strikeout at the plate.

Fitting in fine.

In his first start as a Ranger, Austin Hedges, throws out Jazz Chisholm to end the inning! THIS is the defense Bochy was talkin' about 🔥
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | 📺: BSSW pic.twitter.com/LGu3OfNvhh
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) August 5, 2023

Jon Gray Regroups, Goes 5-Plus

Right-hander Jon Gray, who hadn't pitched in 11 days, went 5 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs, but only three were earned, on six hits and two walks. He struck out six and threw 77 pitches. In previous start on July 24, Gray allowed six earned runs on seven hits and three walks in Houston.

He earned the win to improve to 7-5, snapping a span of eight straight winless starts (0-4). It was Gray's first victory since June 2 over the Seattle Mariners.

Five-Game Win Streak

For the third time this season, the Rangers have won five consecutive games. They've matched their second-best start at 65-46. Their all-time best start was 65-46 in 2012.

The Rangers, 5-0 on their current homestand, are 39-20 at Globe Life Field, matching their best 59-game home start. They also did it in 2004 and 2016.

Up Next

Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney (8-6, 4.36) faces Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (4-9, 4.21) in the series finale at 1:35 p.m. Sunday with Texas in position to sweep.