Tarik Skubal's 11 Ks lead the Tigers past the Rangers 2-1 on July 20, 2025. Texas struggles at the plate as Nathan Eovaldi's injury status is uncertain.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating Sunday night in Arlington as the Texas Rangers' offense was completely stifled by Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, leading to a narrow 2-1 series-finale loss. Despite a valiant emergency start from Jacob Latz, the bats couldn't solve Skubal's puzzle, dropping the team back to a .500 record and leaving fans wondering where the timely hits have gone.
Corey Seager extended his on-base streak to 21 games, the longest active run in the American League.
The story of Sunday's game was Tarik Skubal. The Tigers' ace was simply masterful, carving up the Rangers lineup for 11 strikeouts over 6.2 dominant innings while allowing just two hits and no walks. The Rangers' offense, which managed only four hits all night, looked completely overmatched. Their lone run came without a hit, as Adolis García manufactured a spark by reaching on an error, advancing, and then dashing home on a wild pitch to tie the game in the seventh. The hope was short-lived, however, as Matt Vierling delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the eighth off Chris Martin, sealing the 2-1 victory for Detroit.
While the offense sputtered, there were two key storylines on the mound and at the plate. The biggest concern was Nathan Eovaldi being scratched from his scheduled start due to back tightness, a worrying development for the rotation anchor. His status remains uncertain. However, Jacob Latz stepped up admirably in his place, delivering five strong innings of one-run ball to keep Texas in the fight. On the offensive side, the lone bright spot was Corey Seager. He collected two of the team's four hits, extending his on-base streak to an impressive 21 games—the longest active streak in the AL and a testament to his consistency.
The loss drops the Rangers to 50-50 on the season, keeping them in third place in the AL West, 7.5 games behind the Astros. There's no time to sulk, as a crucial three-game homestand against the Oakland Athletics begins tonight. Rookie right-hander Jack Leiter (5-6, 4.37 ERA) gets the ball for Texas, tasked with starting the series on the right foot. He'll face A's lefty Jacob Lopez (3-5, 4.20 ERA). This series against a division rival presents a prime opportunity for the Rangers to get back above .500 and build some much-needed momentum.
Licking their wounds from a tough series loss, the Rangers have no time to dwell on what could have been. A new week brings a new opponent and a critical divisional series against the A's. All eyes will be on Jack Leiter tonight as he takes the mound, tasked with setting a positive tone and getting Texas back in the win column. A strong start to this homestand is crucial if they hope to climb back into the AL West race.
