ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers dropped the opener of their three-game series against the New York Mets on Tuesday, falling 6-3 at Globe Life Field.
Texas was held to just three hits and went 0-for-16 over its final 16 at-bats. The loss dropped the Rangers to 78-79 and moved them back below .500 with two games remaining on their nine-game homestand.
The Rangers scored once in the third inning and twice in the fourth, but their offense went quiet after that stretch. Texas also has now lost consecutive home games for only the second time since July 6.
The Rangers entered the night holding a half-game lead over Houston in the American League West. The Astros had a chance to pull even depending on the outcome of their game against Seattle.
MacKenzie Gore delivered a solid start for Texas, allowing two runs — only one earned — over five innings. He struck out several key hitters and finished his outing by successfully challenging a potential ball-four call against Bo Bichette for the final out of the fifth.
Josh Jung provided one of Texas’ early highlights, tying the game in the third with an RBI double. The hit gave Jung 26 doubles this season, a new career high. Since returning from the injured list, Jung is batting .297 with two home runs, three doubles and five RBIs over nine games.
Brandon Nimmo, facing his former team for the first time after spending 2016-25 with the Mets, collected two hits in his first two plate appearances. The Mets were the only team Nimmo had never previously faced in his major league career.
New York took control in the sixth inning when Francisco Alvarez delivered a two-run double into the left-center gap, putting the Mets ahead 4-3. Alvarez finished with two doubles and has now recorded four multi-RBI games over his last 16 contests.
Juan Soto also contributed with an RBI single in the third inning. Soto has hit safely in four straight games and is batting .368 during that stretch.
Sean Manaea earned the win for New York after allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits over six innings. He struck out nine and worked out of several early jams before the Mets’ offense gave him the lead.
Carson Benge added an insurance run with his second double of the game in the seventh inning. Benge extended his hitting streak to five games and is batting .310 since July 25.
Peyton Gray, activated from the injured list earlier Tuesday, returned to the Rangers’ bullpen with a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two.
Texas will look to even the series Wednesday before closing the homestand Thursday against New York.
