Texas Rangers Snap Losing Streak With 4-2 Win Over Minnesota Twins: Josh Smith Homers, Jacob deGrom Strikes Out Nine (9/24/2025)

Wednesday, September 24th, 2025

Texas Rangers Snap Eight-Game Losing Streak with 4-2 Win Over Minnesota Twins

The Texas Rangers returned to the win column with a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins, halting a season-worst eight-game losing streak in Arlington. Key contributions at the plate and on the mound powered the Rangers past one of the American League's toughest teams.

Offensive Highlights: Smith and McKinney Deliver

Josh Smith ignited the Rangers' comeback with a solo home run, his 10th of the season, tying the game 1-1 in the fourth inning. The Rangers took control in the seventh when Ezequiel Duran singled, stole a base, and scored the go-ahead run on Billy McKinney's clutch RBI single to left field. McKinney advanced to second on the throw home and eventually scored on a wild pitch, extending Texas's lead to 3-1. Another wild pitch by Twins reliever Génesis Cabrera brought in a fourth run for the Rangers.

Minnesota's Early Lead and Buxton's Milestone

Byron Buxton put the Twins ahead early with a monster leadoff home run—the 32nd of his career and a personal season high—connecting for a 447-foot blast off Rangers ace Jacob deGrom. Buxton has now opened an MLB game with a home run 18 times in his career.

Strong Pitching Performances on Both Sides

Jacob deGrom responded well after the early setback, tossing five innings of one-run ball, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out nine. This start marked deGrom’s 30th of the season, his first time reaching that milestone since 2019, and he finished his outing with a 12-8 record and a 2.97 ERA.

For the Twins, Taj Bradley was strong through six innings, fanning nine while allowing just one run on two hits and two walks. Robert Garcia earned the win for Texas with two scoreless relief innings. Shawn Armstrong surrendered an RBI single to Royce Lewis in the eighth, but Phil Maton locked down the ninth for his fifth save, sealing the Rangers’ much-needed victory.

Key Moment: deGrom's Escape Acts

Kody Clemens provided the Twins with a potential rally in the fourth by drawing a leadoff walk, stealing a base, and reaching third on a wild pitch. DeGrom rose to the occasion, striking out Trevor Larnach and Ryan Jeffers before retiring Brooks Lee to keep the deficit at 1-0.

Stat of the Game

This was Jacob deGrom’s first 30-start season since 2019, a significant milestone for the 37-year-old pitcher. His durability has been a key factor for the Rangers' rotation this year.

What’s Next

The series continues with a rubber match as the Twins send right-hander Bailey Ober (5-9, 5.32 ERA) to the mound, facing Rangers righty Tyler Mahle (6-3, 2.20 ERA). Both teams will look to gain momentum as the regular season winds down.

In summary

The Texas Rangers managed to halt their eight-game losing streak with a collective team effort, highlighted by home runs, clutch base running, and standout pitching. The Minnesota Twins saw an early lead vanish despite Byron Buxton’s milestone homer, and Jacob deGrom’s resilience on the mound proved decisive. As the series finale approaches, both teams are vying for a strong finish in the crucial final stretch of the MLB season.

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