Walk-Off Walk! Texas Rangers Waste Jonah Heim Slam, Fall to Twins in Extras

The Texas Rangers lost the finale of a four-game series at the Minnesota Twins in 13 innings.

The Texas Rangers let a winning streak, albeit a modest one, slip away after failing to hold a five-run lead in Sunday’s 7-6 13-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

After snapping an eight-game skid the day before, the Rangers appeared poised to string consecutive wins together for the first time in nearly two weeks.

Instead, the Rangers dropped to 73-57, failing to put the pressure on the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros in the three-team American League West race. Texas last had a winning streak of any kind end at two games on Aug. 15.

After a pair of scoreless innings in extras, the Rangers broke through in the 12th. Leody Taveras started at second and advanced to third on a long fly ball from Marcus Semien. Corey Seager followed with a deep liner to left, allowing Taveras to tag again and score the go-ahead run.

The Twins got the run back against Brock Burke in the bottom of the frame. Jonathan Hernández, just called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, gave up Minnesota’s winning run on bases-loaded walk. 

The right-hander walked three in a row with two outs, with the deciding free pass coming on just four pitches. All missed the strike zone badly.

The Rangers got home runs from Jonah Heim and rookie J.P. Martinez, which was the first of his career. Texas had a 5-0 lead before the Twins rallied.

Aroldis Chapman blew a chance at save in the ninth, allowing the tying run on a soft single by Donovan Solano to score Michael Taylor, who advanced to second on a balk.

The Rangers last went at least 13 innings in 2017. Texas was 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

Twins 7, Rangers 6 (13)

Notables from Sunday's Rangers-Twins series finale at Target Field.

Heim Ends RBI Slump With Slam

All-Star catcher Jonah Heim hadn’t driven in a run in 12 games going into Sunday – including all 10 contests since returning from the injured list.

That slumped ended in a big way.

Heim drilled a grand slam – the second of his career – in the fourth inning to give the Rangers a 5-0 advantage. The 372-foot blast to left off Twins starter Bailey Ober scored Nathaniel Lowe, Mitch Garver and Robbie Grossman.

Heim had been mired in slumps of 0-for-13 and 2-for-25 since coming off the IL on Aug. 13. He’s started only against right-handed pitchers since coming back, but hit against left-handed reliever Dallas Keuchel twice on Sunday.

Heim has 15 homers and a career-high 74 RBI this season.

Monty, Chapman Struggle

It wasn’t the sharpest performance for Jordan Montgomery, but the big lefty left with the lead. He worked 5 1/3 innings and left with the bases loaded in the sixth.

Chris Stratton, traded to Texas along with Montgomery from the St. Louis Cardinals, allowed a home run to Lewis. The grand slam cut the lead to 5-4. Stratton was able to get the next two batters and pitch a scoreless seventh.

José Leclerc and Will Smith maneuvered through a scoreless eighth, leaving it up to Adolis Chapman. The flamethrower walked Michael Taylor with one out and disengaged from the rubber once too often, a balk that allowed the runner to move to second.

Chapman threw over to first twice, but a timeout called by Heim was also counted as a disengagement. Chapman had his back to the plate when Heim asked for time.

Donovan Solano hit a soft liner off the end of the bat to score Taylor with the tying run.

Up Next

The Rangers open up a three-game series Monday at the New York Mets. Texas sends Jon Gray (8-7, 3.76) to the hill opposite Tylor Megill (7-7, 5.54). First pitch from Citi Field is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.

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