Texas Rangers Fall Late to Cleveland Guardians, Second Straight Loss

The Texas Rangers failed to close a win at the Cleveland Guardians and are now in danger of getting swept.

The Texas Rangers lost to the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Saturday night at Progressive Field. 

The Rangers (82-66) entered the game just a half-game behind the Houston Astros, who were playing in Kansas City. But the Rangers were seeking to bounce back after seeing their six-game winning streak snapped in a 12-3 loss to the Guardians (71-78) on Friday. 

Instead, the Rangers ended up with a second straight defeat, with Will Smith (2-6) taking the loss. Reynaldo López (3-7) claimed the win in relief and Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase claimed his league-leading 41st save.

Guardians 2, Rangers 1

Notables from Saturday's game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Guardians.

Rangers Pitching Escapes ... Until the End

Dane Dunning had an adventurous outing. But by the time he was done after five innings, he held the Guardians scoreless. Along the way, he escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the first (strikeout-lineout), a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the second (strikeout), a two-on, two out jam in the third (pop out) and a two-on, one-out jam in the fifth (double-play).

Dunning gave up six hits and three walks but struck out five. That set up left-hander Martín Pérez, who took over in the sixth.

Could the other Rangers pitchers live less dangerously? No.

Pérez got into trouble in the seventh and left a two-on, two out situation for Will Smith. He got former Rangers outfielder Kole Calhoun to line out to Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to end the inning.

Smith got into his own jam with two on and one out in the eight. The Rangers went to José Leclerc. But, unlike his predecessors, he couldn’t escape.

After a Myles Straw pop-out, a Tyler Freeman bloop single landed in front of Carter and the Guardians tied the game. Then, Steven Kwan lined a single to left to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead. 

Rangers Offense Stumbles ... Again

The Rangers took the lead, 1-0, in the fifth after an RBI double by Marcus Semien to left-center field that scored rookie Evan Carter, who singled before him. For eight innings, that was all the Rangers needed.

But, after the Rangers surrendered the lead, they need something offensively in the ninth.

It didn’t happen. Nathaniel Lowe singled to open the inning against Clase. But Mitch Garver grounded into a double play and Travis Jankowski struck out. 

The Rangers had just six hits. 

Next Up

The Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Guardians wrap up their three-games series at 12:40 p.m. CT on Sunday at Progressive Field. The Guardians are expected to start right-hander Gavin Williams (2-5, 3.43). The Rangers, meanwhile, have not announced a starter.

This is the rotation spot that was supposed to go to Max Scherzer, who is now on the 15-day injured list. After the game, the Rangers return to Arlington prepare for a six-game homestand, starting with the Boston Red Sox on Monday. 

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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