18-20 - Rangers bungled by the Bay, lose finale to Giants 4-2

The Texas Rangers two scored runs and the San Francisco Giants scored four runs.

The Rangers were looking to put 19 games in 19 days in the rearview mirror and this one had a game No. 19 on day No. 19 feel to it for Texas as they coughed up a winnable game in the finale of this two-game set against San Francisco.

It was a marvel that Jordan Lyles left the contest with the Rangers down only 2-1 as he walked five Giants in his five innings spanning 83 pitches. However, Lyles only gave up two hits and struck out six so he was able to wiggle out of trouble when needed.

In the bottom of the sixth, however, after a leadoff walk by reliever Josh Sborz, the Rangers got a couple of outs before Sborz uncorked a wild pitch and then Charlie Culberson was forced to make a long throw at third base for what should have been the inning’s final out but Nate Lowe didn’t do his best Will Clark impression in San Francisco as he couldn’t snare the throw and allowed two Giants to scamper home.

Those two runs proved critical as David Dahl hit a solo home run the next half inning but otherwise the fresh three-run lead was likely the same as a million in the droughtlands for offense that is Oracle Park.

Player of the Game: The aforementioned Dahl started in centerfield because the Rangers were playing in a National League park which meant no one would be comfortable or have a good time but he did hit that home run, his third with Texas.

Up Next: After this long stretch of games, the Rangers garner a well-earned reprieve on Wednesday before getting their first look at the Houston Astros beginning on Thursday at Minute Maid Park.