Marcus Semien Extends Hit Career-Best Streak, Texas Rangers Top Cardinals

Marcus Semien's hit broke a 2-2 tie as the Texas Rangers clinched a series win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Second baseman Marcus Semien extended his career-high hitting streak to 25 games and broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning, helping the Texas Rangers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field. 

The American League West-leading Rangers improved to 40-20, which continues the best start in franchise history.

Semien came to the plate in the bottom of the fourth with the game knotted and the bases loaded. Semien had failed to get a hit in his first two at-bats against Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore. 

In this third at-bat, Semien drilled an opposite-field double to right, which scored Mitch Garver and Ezequiel Duran. On the throw to home plate, the ball got away from Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras and allowed Leody Taveras to score. Semien advanced to third. Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman was charged with a throwing error. 

Semien is now tied for the second-longest hitting streak in team history, joining Rangers Hall of Famers Michael Young (Sept. 2-29, 2005) and Ian Kinsler (June 17-July 13, 2008).

Gabe Kapler holds the team record at 28 games (July 17-Aug. 15, 2000). 

If Semien were to catch Kapler, it would be on the road this weekend when the Rangers face the Tampa Bay Rays. He finished the game 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored.

Adolis García hit a solo home run for the Rangers, part of a four-hit game for the clean-up hitter. Nathaniel Lowe hit a solo home run that tied the game at 2-2 in the third. 

Semien's day took some of the sting out of the news that broke before the game. Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom will miss the remainder of the 2023 season after being diagnosed with a UCL tear in his right arm, the ligament associated with Tommy John surgery. He will have surgery next week and will also miss part of the 2024 season. 

Rangers starter Dane Dunning (5-1) was unable to get out of the sixth, but was in line for the win after going 5 2/3 innings and giving up seven hits, four runs and two walks. He struck out one. 

Cole Ragans, Josh Sborz and Will Smith worked the final 3 1/3 innings, with Sborz retiring five straight — including four strikeouts — and Smith working a perfect ninth. Smith earned his 11th save.

The Rangers, on a season-high five-game winning streak, go for the sweep Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Jon Gray (6-1, 2.51) starts for Texas, with Jack Flaherty (3-4, 4.55) going for St. Louis. 

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