Rookies Michael Helman & Freeman sparked a 7-2 Rangers win over the A's on July 22, 2025. See how their first career hits and Josh Jung's HR sealed the deal.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some nights, you get a glimpse of the future. Tuesday night at Globe Life Field was one of those nights, as a trio of rookies powered the Texas Rangers to a crucial 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics. In a season-defining fifth inning, the kids took over, turning a tight game into a decisive victory and reminding everyone in Arlington that the next wave has arrived.
It was a 'welcome to the show' kind of night, with Michael Helman's first career homer and Freeman's first big-league hit providing the game-changing sparks.
The game was deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth, feeling like another tight divisional battle. Then, the kids flipped the script. Freeman stepped up and delivered the biggest hit of his young career, a tiebreaking RBI double that marked his first-ever MLB hit and RBI. The dugout was still buzzing when Michael Helman came to the plate and provided the exclamation point. Helman launched his first career big league home run, a three-run shot that blew the game wide open to 5-1. In the span of a few minutes, the Rangers' offense came alive, fueled entirely by the fresh faces in the lineup.
The rookie fireworks weren't the only story of the night. Josh Jung made his long-awaited return to the lineup and wasted no time making his presence felt. In the early innings, Jung blasted his ninth home run of the season, a welcome sight for a team in desperate need of his left-handed power. His return provides a massive boost to the heart of the order, and his immediate impact is a clear sign that he's ready to help lead the charge for a playoff spot down the stretch.
The offense wasn't done. Power-hitting prospect Nick Kurtz continued his impressive campaign, launching a solo homer to left field in the sixth for his 19th of the year. On the other side of the ball, starter Jack Leiter delivered a strong outing, holding the A's to just two runs and striking out Lawrence Butler in a key moment. It was a complete team effort, with established players and rising stars all contributing to a much-needed win.
With this victory, the Rangers climb to 51-50 and take sole possession of third place in the AL West. More than just a single win, this game felt like a statement. The energy from the rookies is palpable, and with Jung back in the fold, this lineup looks deeper and more dangerous than it has in weeks. Now, the challenge is to bottle this momentum and carry it forward. If the kids keep hitting, this playoff push is about to get very interesting.
