So far in the young 2026 MLB season, the Texas Rangers have had a knack to be competitive in most of their games.
It's an edge which can create positive results. The Rangers, though, found themselves on the short end of a 7-3 loss on Saturday night to the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker observed his players battling despite being down six runs at one point.
“We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters and just couldn't get that big hit,” Schumaker said, according to Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.
“I loved the battle," Schumaker continued. "I thought it was [good] offensively, we just couldn't get that one clutch hit, but we got their closer in the game in a 7-1 game. It was a fight to the ninth. That’s really good to see. Obviously, this whole road trip, the whole season, that's been kind of our identity, which I love.”
Texas got within 7-3 and had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the ninth. All the Rangers needed was a big blast to tie the game.
That, though, did not happen as Brandon Nimmo struck out.
Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi pitched into the sixth inning, but Schumaker took him out after he couldn't get an out. Cal Quantrill came on and pitched the last three innings for Texas.
Even Eovaldi, despite taking the loss, noted how he's seen the team come together and compete this season.
“It’s the energy, everybody's putting together quality at-bats and doing a great job up there,” Eovaldi said. “There were a lot of opportunities for us to strike and score more runs.
"We were getting guys on base, getting the bases loaded, basically being one swing away from either taking the lead or tying it up," Eovaldi said. "I feel like we've done that all season long, having deeper at-bats, battling and fighting pitches off. It's been a lot more energy and a lot more fun.”
Schumaker, though, took a long, hard look at the box score from Saturday's loss and probably circled a big number on there.
The Rangers left 16 runners on base on Saturday night. They had plenty of runners out there to potentially score. Like Schumaker said, though, the team couldn't get that big hit needed at a crucial time.
Mariners starter George Kirby pitched well against the Rangers, much like he's done over the time that he's been in the big leagues. But Texas hitters can find solace that they were able to knock him around a little bit.
Even with the loss, Texas could look and take note of some positives.
Now, the Rangers look to put a Sunday afternoon victory in the Pacific Northwest in their back pockets.
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!