13-17 - Rangers have trouble with Twins, fall in opener 6-5

The Texas Rangers scored five runs and the Minnesota Twins scored six runs.

The Rangers played tonight like a team that just finished an adrenaline-filled series over the weekend and then immediately got on a plane to continue playing 19 games in 19 days. That is to say, they allowed a run on an errant throw from right field, another on a missed tag at the plate, another on a botched catch in center field, and yet another on a poor route in left field.

Meanwhile, the bats were quiet for much of the night until Adolis Garcia got them on the board with a two-run dong but a late-inning rally ran dry. A two-out, two-run Joey Gallo homer in the top of the ninth got the Rangers to within a run but Garcia struck out for the game’s final out.

On the mound, Dane Dunning started tonight and he was better than in his recent outings as he allowed two earned runs in 5 ²⁄₃ innings on three hits, two walks, and five strikeouts in 76 pitches. Tandem partner Kolby Allard didn’t have his best stuff, however, as he allowed three runs in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings after entering for Dunning.

Player of the Game: Despite the defensive miscues, Garcia and Gallo dongers were the highlights for the Rangers at the plate.

Up Next: The Rangers and Twins are back at it tomorrow night with RHP Kyle Gibson set to face his old team while Minnesota will turn to LHP J.A. Happ to make the start. Tuesday’s first pitch from Target Field is scheduled for 6:40 pm CT.