Byron Buxton's massive homer and stellar defense led the Twins past the Rangers 6-2 on June 12, 2025. Jack Leiter struggled as Texas' road woes continued.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was the Byron Buxton show in Minneapolis on Thursday, and the Texas Rangers had a front-row seat for a performance they'd rather forget. A colossal home run and a game-saving catch from the Twins' center fielder were the difference-makers in a deflating 6-2 loss at Target Field, extending the Rangers' miserable stretch on the road.
Byron Buxton's 479-foot, three-run homer was the second-longest in MLB this season and the longest of his career.
One swing of the bat changed everything. In the bottom of the third, with two runners on, Byron Buxton unloaded on a pitch from Jack Leiter, sending it a staggering 479 feet into the upper deck. The three-run shot was not only the longest of Buxton's career but the decisive blow in the game. As if that wasn't enough, he later made a spectacular diving catch to rob Marcus Semien of a rally-starting extra-base hit, proving to be a thorn in the Rangers' side with both his bat and his glove.
It was a tough day at the office for rookie Jack Leiter, who couldn't escape the fourth inning. The Buxton homer was the big blow, but Leiter struggled with his command throughout, issuing four walks while giving up five hits and four earned runs. After a couple of promising starts, this outing was a step back, as he failed to pitch past the fourth for the first time in three tries. It's a harsh reminder of the growing pains young pitchers endure at the major league level.
The Rangers' offense showed brief signs of life but was ultimately silenced. Marcus Semien got Texas on the board early with a solo home run in the second, his 10th of the year. Josh Smith followed with an RBI double in the third. But that was all they could muster against Twins starter David Festa, who held the lineup to just three hits over six solid innings. The inability to string together hits and sustain pressure continues to plague this team.
This loss wasn't just a single bad game; it's part of a troubling pattern. The defeat drops the Rangers to 29-34 on the season and a dismal 9-21 on the road. Now sitting 4th in the AL West and with a 1-3 record in June, the team's struggles away from Arlington are becoming a defining story of their season. Finding a way to win on the road is no longer just a goal, it's a necessity.
With the team looking to avoid a sweep, all eyes turn to veteran Patrick Corbin, who takes the mound in the series finale against Bailey Ober and the Twins. Corbin is searching for his first win in nearly a month, and the Rangers desperately need a steady hand to stop the bleeding. Another loss would be a disastrous end to a tough road trip and sink the team further in the standings. It's more than just one game; it's about finding a spark away from Globe Life Field before the season slips away.
