Watch: Cole Ragans Gets Wild, Lets Down Texas Rangers in Wild Card Chase

The Texas Rangers couldn’t count on Cole Ragans when he wore their uniform. Turns out the Rangers can’t count on Ragans in Kansas City Royals duds, either.

The former Rangers left-hander – traded as part of the Aroldis Chapman deal in June – had the Toronto Blue Jays on the ropes Sunday afternoon. But three consecutive wild, wild pitches by Ragans led to two runs and sparked the Toronto comeback in a 5-2 victory.

Ragans was cruising until that point, blanking Toronto through five innings. The sequence of three wild pitches started with two runners on base in the sixth. None of the three offerings from Ragans were anywhere near the strike zone and sailed to backstop, allowing both runners to advance and eventually score.

I don't think I've ever seen anything like Cole Ragans airmailing three straight pitches to tie a game.

Bonkers, and I hope he's okay. pic.twitter.com/sw6cWVjouk
— Ryley Delaney🏳️‍⚧️ (@Ryley_L_D) September 10, 2023

The Rangers drafted Ragans in 2016 and he debuted in the Majors in 2022, going 0-3 with a 4.96 ERA in 40 innings. Ragans was 2-3 with a 5.92 ERA in 17 appearances with Texas this season.

The Blue Jays (80-63) hold the second Wild Card spot and are up 1.5 games up on Texas (78-64) going into the start of a critical four-game series between the clubs Monday night in Toronto.

“We have to play great baseball from here on out,” Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said, according to MLB.com. “Our opponents are all in the thick of it and in a similar boat to us. We’re in a great position right now.”

Had the Blue Jays lost Sunday, Texas would be just a half-game behind both Toronto and the Seattle Mariners (79-64) in the Wild Card chase.

The Blue Jays have won four consecutive series and are 8-3 during that stretch.

“September. This is when it becomes the most fun,” Kiermaier said. “October is creeping up. This is what you play for every year, to have a chance and an opportunity to play in the playoffs. If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re just trying to get our foot in the door any way possible. I love where we’re at right now.”

Ragans, one of the hottest starters in the American League since coming to Kansas City, picked the wrong time to be off. At least as far as the Rangers are concerned.

You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.

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