Texas Rangers Fall Flat In Series-Opening Loss To San Diego Padres

Josh Jung had half of the Texas Rangers' hits in 7-1 loss to San Diego Padres.

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

A game after an emotional victory in Houston, the Texas Rangers laid an egg in San Diego.

The Padres blanked the Rangers 7-1 at Petco Park to open the three-game series.

San Diego has beaten Texas nine consecutive times going back to 2018.

The Rangers (60-44) maintained their two-game lead atop the AL West because the Houston Astros lost their series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rangers scored a run on Marcus Semien's bases-loaded walk in the ninth to prevent their seventh shutout. They were held to six hits, their fewest since the Dodgers held them to four on July 21.

Padres ace Joe Musgrove held the Rangers scoreless on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The Padres scored four in the sixth inning against Rangers' reliever Yerry Rodriguez to blow it open.

Padres 7, Rangers 1

Josh Jung Multi-Hit Games

Rookie third baseman Josh Jung collected three hits, including two doubles, for his sixth three-hit game this season. It's his 12th multi-hit game. He had three of the Rangers' six hits Friday.

Dane Dunning Done Early Again

For the second consecutive start, Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning left the game earlier than hoped. Dunning only allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in five innings, but gave way to the bullpen after 90 pitches for the sixth inning.

In his previous start, Dunning allowed a career-high five runs on seven hits in three innings. 

Up Next

The Rangers' left-hander Martin Perez (8-3, 4.91) faces Padres' right-hander Yu Darvish (7-7, 4.80) in Game 2 at 7:40 p.m. Saturday.

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You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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