Josh Jung homered in his return and rookies Cody Freeman & Michael Helman had first career hits to lead the Rangers past the A's 7-2 on July 22, 2025.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Sometimes, one game can feel like more than just a win. Tuesday night at Globe Life Field was one of those times. It was a jolt of energy, a glimpse of the future, and a triumphant return all rolled into one as the Rangers dispatched the A's 7-2. The story of the night was written by a returning slugger and two rookies who picked the perfect moment to announce their arrival.
First, Cody Freeman broke a 2-2 tie with his first MLB hit, an RBI double. On the very next pitch, Michael Helman launched his first career hit—a three-run homer—to blow the game open.
All eyes were on Josh Jung, and he did not disappoint. Recalled from Triple-A Round Rock just hours before the game, Jung immediately looked like the player who can anchor the hot corner for years to come. He wasted no time making an impact, launching his ninth home run of the season to get the Rangers on the board. But he wasn't done. He'd later walk and score on a rookie's blast before singling and scoring again, finishing the night with three runs scored. It was the exact kind of offensive spark the team has been missing, a reminder of what a healthy and confident Jung brings to the lineup.
The fifth inning was pure magic, the kind of baseball moment fans live for. With the game knotted at two, rookie Cody Freeman stepped to the plate and delivered a tie-breaking RBI double for his first career big-league hit. The dugout was still celebrating when fellow rookie Michael Helman stepped in and, on the very next pitch, crushed a three-run homer to left. It was also Helman's first MLB hit, turning a tense game into a 6-2 Rangers lead in an instant. Helman even added another RBI later on a sacrifice bunt, but it was that electrifying, back-to-back sequence of career milestones that truly defined this victory.
While the offense provided the fireworks, Jack Leiter provided the stability on the mound. The rookie right-hander turned in a quality start, going six strong innings while striking out seven and allowing just two runs to earn his sixth win. It was the kind of steady performance that calms a game down and lets the offense go to work. Meanwhile, Mr. Consistent, Corey Seager, quietly did his thing, extending his on-base streak to an impressive 22 games with an RBI single. It's that blend of young talent and veteran presence that makes this team so compelling.
Beating the A's is one thing, but doing it with this kind of energy is another. Moving to 51-50 feels good, but the feeling that the kids are alright—and that a key veteran is back in form—feels even better. Now, the Rangers will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the return of their ace. With Jacob deGrom scheduled to make his first start since the All-Star break, the timing for this offensive awakening couldn't be better.
