<\/p>\n
Texas Rangers Skip Schumaker (55) argues a call with home plate umpire Laz Diaz during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON \u2014 The Rangers\u00a0began the final week of the season<\/a>, holding the slimmest of leads<\/a> in the AL West, and needing a minor miracle to navigate a threadbare pitching staff.\u00a0<\/p>\n What they got instead was a catastrophe.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pardon the dramatics, but when the word fits, the word fits. No other way to describe a 6-3 loss to the last-place New York Mets<\/a> that knocked the Rangers from first in the AL to the outside of the playoff race. On a night when the beleaguered pitching staff needed a little help from its friends, it instead got wasteful offense and a jittery defense. Is\u00a0bad defense<\/a> just endemic to Arlington?\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Yet this one would have even made Christian Parker cringe. He\u2019s got enough on his plate already.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Rangers betrayed by their defense at most inopportune time in loss to Mets<\/a><\/p>\n Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) and right fielder Brandon Nimmo (24) misplay a fly ball by New York Mets designated hitter Francisco Alvarez during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News A thank you message for New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien is seen on a video board during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) walks to the batter\u2019s circle during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) waves to fans after being recognized for his time as a Texas Rangers player during the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) catches a fly ball off the bat of New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge during the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) reacts after an RBI double alongside New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) during the third inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) celebrates his run with first baseman Jake Burger (21) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo (24) high fives teammates after scoring a run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue (14) reacts after being hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers players cheer after center fielder Ezequiel Duran earned a walk during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo (24) singles to center during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) shakes hands with New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) during the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) fouls off a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Jakob Junis (16) throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News A pair of young fans wave their shirts as New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) takes an at bat during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) fields a ground from New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Robert Garcia (62) throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) walks to the dugout after giving up three runs during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets designated hitter Francisco Alvarez (4) slides safely ahead of the tag from Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen (9) during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) catches a sacrifice fly from New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens as designated hitter Francisco Alvarez scores during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) drops a rosin bag after giving up a pair of runs during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) watches as a New York Mets designated hitter Francisco Alvarez (not pictured) doubles to left center and scores a pair of runs during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) throws to first after tagging out New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) watches a foul ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) waits for the ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) slides safely into second base after a double as Texas Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue (14) fields the ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) jogs off the field during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers fans stand and applaud pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) as he exits during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) catches a ball off the bat of New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien for an out during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers Skip Schumaker (55) argues a call with home plate umpire Laz Diaz alongside center fielder Ezequiel Duran during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) smiles alongside second baseman Marcus Semien (10) after winning a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (right) laughs with second baseman Marcus Semien (10) after winning a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n The Rangers had four misplays or miscommunications in the first six innings, blowing a slim lead (a metaphor for the division race?) in the process. They involved almost every fielder on the diamond and contributed to four of the Mets\u2019 six runs. The offense, on the other hand, went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Corey Seager, the biggest threat in the lineup, twice failed in key situations with runners on base and struck out three times in all. Then again, he wasn\u2019t alone. The Rangers struck out 15 times.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt was terrible,\u201d Rangers first baseman Jake Burger, who made one of the misplays, said of the defense. \u201cOur pitchers give us a chance every night, and we\u2019ve got to pick them up. We can’t expect to win the division when we’re playing like that. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s who we are. But we\u2019ve got to flush it and get back tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn’t make the plays behind the pitchers tonight, and our offense didn’t get anything going either,\u201d manager Skip Schumaker said. \u201cSo, a combination of things is why we lost. We\u2019ve just got to flush it quick and get after it tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Lotta flushing going on. Might be good to have a plumber saved in their contacts, you know, in case the whole thing overflows. And right now it\u2019s filling up fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n Consider the playoffs. It\u2019s the AL West or bust<\/a>. The Rangers are now three games behind Chicago, which currently holds the third wild card spot, and the White Sox hold the tiebreaker. It effectively puts the Rangers’ elimination number at two in the wild card race.\u00a0<\/p>\n The AL West ain\u2019t looking so hot either. Houston, which dropped out of first place Saturday and heard from Yordan Alvarez in a players-only meeting the next day, cruised to a 7-0\u00a0win over Seattle. It pushed the Astros back into a tie with the Rangers for first in the AL West, but Houston owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Rangers have to play a game better than the Astros over the final five. On Wednesday, the Rangers face Mets ace, Nolan McLean. It does not get easier.<\/p>\n On Tuesday a slow roller got between Justin\u00a0Foscue and Seager for a two-out, two-strike, run-scoring hit in the third. An inning later, Ezequiel Duran, still new in center field, nearly charged right into Brandon Nimmo on Francisco Alvarez\u2019s two-out fly ball into the gap. The ball bounced off Nimmo\u2019s glove and allowed New York\u2019s second run to score. \u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cJust a miscommunication in the outfield,\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cI think [Duran] maybe was running it down, had a beat on it and might have called it too late right on top of Nimmo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n And after the Rangers rallied back to take a 3-2 lead, it got worse just when the Rangers inserted Nathan Eovaldi to protect the lead. After Eovaldi got in trouble with a leadoff double and a walk, old friend Marcus Semien<\/a> seemed so appreciative of the “Welcome Back” video the Rangers put on the board<\/a> that he offered a gift in return: A sharp grounder to third baseman Josh Jung. But after Jung stepped on third, his throw across the diamond to complete the double play was soft and errant. Alvarez followed with his second double of the night, scoring two runs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Then Alvarez scored on what was ruled a sacrifice fly but was really a foul pop to Burger. He caught it with his back to the bag and quickly pivoted towards home, but he lost his grip on the ball, forcing him to double pump on his throw home. The throw was close, but Danny\u00a0Jansen couldn\u2019t hold on to the ball, rendering it moot.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve been playing fundamentally sound baseball,\u201d Shumaker said. \u201cWe made a couple miscues. It cost us and that’s part of the reason why we lost. So again, that’s why we have to flush it.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n If not, the Rangers are five days from flushing the whole season away, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Texas Rangers Skip Schumaker (55) argues a call with home plate umpire Laz Diaz during the ninth inning…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":812140,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2396],"tags":[5,101,4,1690,61,2548,4203,87965,87966,83514,88018],"class_list":["post-812139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york-mets","tag-baseball","tag-mets","tag-mlb","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-mets","tag-newyork","tag-newyorkmets","tag-tp-jake-burger","tag-tp-skip-schumaker","tag-tp-texas-rangers","tag-tp-corey-seager"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/117319529212634775","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/812139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=812139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/812139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/812140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=812139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=812139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=812139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
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