47-42 - Rangers unable to halt slide with 7-4 loss to Twins

The Rangers are certainly limping into the All-Star break. That continued today as they were manhandled by Twins starter Michael Pineda at the plate while Jesse Chavez couldn’t find that final out to close out innings on the mound a few times and the Twins capitalized with a bevy of two-out runs early.

Texas made a game of it late with Willie Calhoun hitting a two-run bomb to draw the Rangers close but that final rally eluded them before the Twins pulled away with a couple of insurance runs. Just like that, the Rangers have now lost six of the last seven.

It’s been a way more fun first half than anyone could have anticipated for the Rangers but it sure seems like they could use a break.

Player of the Game: Elvis Andrus made his son proud by hitting a home run on little Elvis Emilio’s second birthday. :3

Also, congrats to org soldier Pedro Payano for getting to come in and pitch a scoreless inning in his MLB debut.

Up Next: The Rangers close out the first half with either Joe Palumbo making the start in Mike Minor’s stead or an opener ahead of Palumbo against someone not currently listed for the Twins. First pitch for Sunday’s finale from Target Field is scheduled for 1:10 pm CT.