Texas Rangers lose 5-4 to Tampa Bay Rays on June 5, 2025. Kumar Rocker struggles in return, Jonah Heim homers. Rangers' road skid deepens. Get game details!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, Rangers fans, it was another tough one to watch last night. Hopes were high with Kumar Rocker making his return to the mound, but unfortunately, it wasn't the triumphant comeback we were all dreaming of. The Rangers dropped another game to the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-4, extending a concerning pattern of losses as the team struggles to find its footing, especially away from Globe Life Field.
The Rangers have now lost 11 of their last 15 games following a season-long six-game win streak.
All eyes were on Kumar Rocker as he took the bump for the first time since his stint on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder issue. Unfortunately, rust appeared to be a factor. Rocker battled through 3 1/3 innings but was tagged for five runs, ultimately taking the loss and seeing his season record fall to 1-4. It's early days in his return, and regaining his command and confidence will be key. We know the talent is there; now it's about finding that consistency post-injury.
The offense showed some signs of life, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit. Jonah Heim provided a spark with a two-run homer in the fifth, giving the team a much-needed boost. Josh Smith also contributed, singling and then scoring on a double by Wyatt Langford. Despite these efforts, the early damage was done, and the Rangers couldn't quite close the gap. This loss drops the team's record to 29-31, keeping them in third place in the AL West.
The numbers don't lie, and right now, they paint a stark picture of the Rangers' performance on the road. The team is now a dismal 9-18 when playing away from Arlington, a sharp contrast to their solid 20-13 record at home. This current nine-game road trip, starting with this series in Tampa Bay, is a massive test. If the Rangers want to climb back into contention in the AL West, they absolutely have to figure out how to win on the road.
The Rangers will look to avoid a sweep in the series finale on Thursday. Ryan Pepiot (3-5, 3.21 ERA) gets the ball for Texas, and he'll be facing off against the Rays' Jack Leiter (4-2, 3.66 ERA). It's a crucial game to stop the bleeding and build some positive momentum before heading to the next stop on this challenging road swing. A win here would be a significant morale booster.
It's a tough pill to swallow, but the Rangers have a chance to salvage one game against the Rays and try to build some momentum before this road trip gets any longer. Pepiot needs to be sharp, and the bats need to wake up. Let's hope they can turn this ship around, starting Thursday.
