Thursday newsletter time: Another one-run loss in typical fashion for these Rangers

(AP photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ARLINGTON — The loss that ensured that the Rangers, officially, will have a sixth straight non-winning season came in true Rangers 2022 form.

Short outing by the starter, blown save by the bullpen, go-ahead run scoring on a play that must be made but wasn’t, and a one-run loss.

Oakland scored two two-out runs in the ninth against Jose Leclerc, the second coming on a Corey Seager error, and the heart of the Rangers’ order couldn’t get in the tying run in an 8-7 loss.

The Rangers can win no more than 81 games this season, and would have to go 19-0 to do that. A sixth straight losing season will likely be secured this weekend.

The loss comes despite the Rangers leading 5-1 thanks to Mark Mathis connecting in the second inning, giving him three straight at-bats with a home run, and Marcus Semien later adding a three-run homer in the same frame. After Oakland trimmed the lead to 5-4 in the fifth against right-hander Dane Dunning, Jonah Heim connected for a two-run homer in the bottom half.

The A’s countered that in the sixth as Tony Kemp hit a two-run homer against Dennis Santana, but the Rangers were still up 7-6 entering the ninth. Vimael Machin doubled home the tying run in the ninth, and then scored as Seager couldn’t handled a high hop on a Stephen Vogt grounder.

The Rangers lost an out in the ninth as Bubba Thompson slid through second base as he safely avoided a pickoff but was tagged out just before he could get his foot back to the bag.

More Rangers luck.

The Rangers went 60-102 last season, the third-worst record in baseball. They have the 10th-worst record this season, though a rough finish would vault them solidly back into the top 10 of the draft.

On the road again

The Rangers headed back on the road, and back to Florida, after finishing up the Oakland series. First up is an off day in St. Petersburg before a three-game weekend series against the Rays.

Tampa Bay is pretty good.

The Rangers played a doubleheader Monday at Miami in the middle of what was originally a five-game homestand, the result of the first road series of the season being postponed because of the lockout.

The good news is the Rangers will come home to another off day and then a six-game homestand. That will be followed by yet another off day and a six-game road road trip, their last of the season. The last series of the season is Oct. 3-5 at home against the Yankees, which was supposed to be the season-opening series.

Can the Rangers find eight wins in the final 19 games to reach 70? It’s not much, but 70 wins would be a 10-game improvement over last season.

ICYMI …

Thursday already? That means it’s time to play some catch-up. Typical great Rangers Today coverage, same low price for a paid subscription. Get yours here. If, for some reason, you’re still on the fence, get that other leg over. The offseason is going to be crazy, and there’s no better or cheaper place to stay on top of things than right here. Now, here’s our latest in case you missed it.

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Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com