ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Jack Leiter dominated on the mound and Adolis García made a loud return as the Rangers crushed the Guardians 10-0 on Friday night at Globe Life Field.
Leiter turned in his best start yet, striking out 10 over seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits and no walks. It was the longest scoreless outing of his MLB career and capped a 24-strikeout, zero-walk performance by Rangers pitchers over the first two games of the series — a franchise record.
Texas’ offense pounced early and often. García, back from the injured list, launched a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Rookie Cody Freeman hit his first big-league homer in the second and finished with his first multi-hit game. Josh Jung broke out of a slump with a two-run shot, and Ezequiel Duran tied his career high with three RBIs. Wyatt Langford added two doubles, continuing his red-hot August.
The Rangers have now won consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 4-5 and secured their first series win in nearly three weeks.
Cleveland, meanwhile, managed just three hits and has now been shut out 13 times this season — tied for most in the AL. Starter Logan Allen was rocked for nine earned runs in five innings, including all three homers.
Texas will go for the sweep in Sunday’s finale.
