Texas Rangers Win Streak Snapped, But Magic Number Still Drops

Texas Rangers saw their win streak snapped, but their magic number still dropped with the Astros' loss to the Mariners.

The Texas Rangers fell behind big early Tuesday and waved the white flag.

The Los Angeles Angels beat the Rangers 9-3 after scoring five in the fifth. By the seventh inning, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had replaced much of his infield, including Jonah Heim, Marcus Semien, and Corey Seager, who was hit by a pitch on his right arm in the fifth inning.

The Rangers, however, remain 2.5 games ahead of the Houston Astros in the AL West because the Astros lost to the Seattle Mariners 6-2. The Astros' loss drops the Rangers' magic number to three with five games to play. Any combination of Rangers wins and Astros losses equaling three would give Texas the AL West title.

The loss snapped the Rangers (88-69) six-game win streak.

The Angels (71-87) left-hander Reid Detmers held Texas to one run on six hits over seven innings, with seven strikeouts.

Josh Smith's two-run homer in the ninth drew the Rangers to within 9-3.

Austin Hedges was amazed by that effort 🤣 pic.twitter.com/4jThrBUVJ0

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) September 27, 2023

Angels 9, Rangers 3

Here are the key takeaways from Tuesday's game:

Marcus Semien Closing In On History

Marcus Semien is one of four major league players to appear in every game for their team in 2023, and only one of two players (along with the Braves' Matt Olson) to start every game. Semien has started 157 games, including Tuesday, at second base. The other two players to play in each game are the Padres' Juan Soto Jr. and the Mariners' Eugenio Suárez.

Semien is five starts remaining from becoming the second Rangers player to start in the field for every game. The only other player to do it was outfielder Ruben Sierra in 1989. Semien would be the 11th player in club history to play in every game during a season.

Since 1976, only three players have started all 162 games at second base for their club. The Pirates' Johnny Ray in 1982, the Astros' Bill Doran in 1987, and the Orioles' Jonathan Schoop in 2016.

Bradford Roughed Up

Rangers starter Cody Bradford (4-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits in four innings. The big blow was a three-run homer in the first. After a single and double to start the fifth, Bradford was replaced by Chris Stratton, who also struggled. Stratton was charged with three runs on four hits in 2/3 innings.

Up Close

Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning (11-6, 3.88) faces right-hander Griffin Canning (7-7, 4.39) in the series final at 8:38 p.m. Wednesday.

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You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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