ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers didn’t have many hits. They didn’t need them.
After falling behind early, Texas chipped away and surged ahead late to defeat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Saturday night at Globe Life Field, evening the weekend series and setting the stage for a decisive rubber match with first place in the American League West on the line.
Texas (14-13) erased a three-run deficit for the first time this season, leaning on timely swings and just enough pitching to hold off Oakland. The Rangers finished with only five hits — their fewest in a victory this year — but made each one count.
The turning point came in the sixth inning.
With a runner aboard, Josh Jung drove a pitch the other way into the Rangers’ bullpen, a go-ahead two-run homer that flipped a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead. Jung has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the last two weeks, piling up extra-base hits at a torrid pace while consistently delivering in key spots.
Corey Seager helped set the tone earlier in the night, slicing an RBI single in the third inning to get Texas on the board. He later added another hit, continuing a steady climb back toward form after a slow start to the season.
On the mound, MacKenzie Gore navigated traffic all night but limited the damage. The left-hander allowed three runs over five innings, working around multiple jams and stranding runners in nearly every frame. His outing required a heavy workload, but it kept Texas within striking distance long enough for the offense to respond.
The Rangers’ bullpen took it from there.
Relievers combined to shut down Oakland over the final four innings, preserving the narrow lead. Jacob Latz closed the door for his second career save, sealing a comeback that underscored Texas’ resilience during its current homestand.
Oakland (14-13) jumped out quickly with three runs in the first three innings but couldn’t sustain the momentum. Starter Jeffrey Springs carried a lead into the sixth before surrendering Jung’s decisive homer — the first long ball he has allowed this season — and was tagged with the loss.
The Athletics also missed an opportunity to build on Friday’s power display, going without a home run a night after leaving the yard five times.
With the series now tied, Sunday’s finale will determine sole possession of first place in the division.
For the Rangers, it’s a chance to turn a gritty comeback into something bigger.
