ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers absorbed their most lopsided defeat of the season Tuesday night, falling 12-2 to the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field as Minnesota pounded out a season-high 17 hits to secure the series victory.
The loss marked Texas’ second consecutive series defeat and continued a recent skid that has seen the Rangers drop four of their last five games. The 10-run margin was Texas’ largest setback of the year, while the 12 runs allowed matched the club’s highest total surrendered at home since May 2025.
Minnesota set the tone immediately when Trevor Larnach launched the second pitch of the game into the seats for a leadoff home run. The blast ignited an offensive outburst that never slowed down.
The Twins broke the game open early against Rangers starter Kumar Rocker, who struggled through one of the toughest outings of his young career. Rocker lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs, six earned, while yielding two home runs and suffering his sixth loss of the season. The right-hander has now gone nine consecutive starts without earning a victory.
Minnesota’s lineup delivered contributions throughout the order. Larnach finished with four hits, matching a career high, while Kody Clemens added a three-run homer in the third inning, his 11th long ball of the season. Royce Lewis chipped in with a two-run single, and Irving native Josh Bell continued his success against Texas with two RBI.
On the mound, Zebby Matthews kept the Rangers’ offense in check. The Twins right-hander worked seven strong innings, allowing two runs on eight hits without issuing a walk. Matthews escaped a seventh-inning threat and earned his third win of the season.
Texas struggled to capitalize on its opportunities, finishing 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Rangers managed just two runs, one on an RBI fielder’s choice from Ezequiel Duran and another on an RBI double by Elias Díaz.
Díaz continued his productive start since joining Texas earlier this month. The veteran catcher has recorded hits in six of his seven games with the club and has helped spark a Rangers catching group that has been among the American League’s most productive over the past two weeks.
Brandon Nimmo was the lone bright spot offensively for Texas, collecting two hits, including a double. Josh Smith also recorded his first hit since returning from the injured list.
Minnesota has now won five of its last seven games and will look to complete a three-game sweep when the clubs wrap up the series Thursday afternoon following Wednesday’s scheduled off day.
For Texas, the challenge will be regrouping after a night in which nearly everything went wrong, from an early home run allowed to missed opportunities at the plate, as the Rangers search for answers during a difficult stretch of the season.
