The Texas Rangers hit four doubles in one inning for the first time since 2009, and that was enough to beat the Twins 6-2 on Saturday afternoon. The win came after a rain delay, and it kept the Rangers alive in the American League West race.
With the Houston Astros still playing, the Rangers improved to 80-81. One more win tomorrow would give them a shot at the West title, and it would also guarantee their playoff spot comes on the back of an even record.
Four Doubles In One Inning
The second inning was the story. Nicky Lopez, Evan Carter, Alejandro Osuna, and Brandon Nimmo each hit a double, and all four runs scored with two outs and nobody on base. That four-run frame did most of the damage against Bailey Ober, who gave up four of his six earned runs and five of his ten hits in that single inning.
The inning closed the book on Ober’s 2026 season. He finished with a 7-7 record and a 4.47 ERA. He added five strikeouts and one walk to his final marks.
Eovaldi’s Short Start
Nathan Eovaldi did not make it through five innings. He threw 71 pitches and left early. The Twins got to him only a little bit.
Luke Keaschall doubled and scored in the first, and he was the star of the afternoon for the Twins. Only three other Twins managed a hit against Eovaldi. The only other Twins run came after Keaschall tripled and scored on a Josh Bell single in the bottom of the eighth.
Keaschall went 2-for-3 with two runs, a walk, a double, and a triple. He was the only bright spot on a roster that is nearly done for the season.
Kremer’s Last Start
The book is nearly closed on the Twins roster. Dean Kremer is scheduled to start Game 162 and finish off the season for good. Minnesota currently sits at 76-85, dead even with the Detroit Tigers.
A win and a Tiger loss tomorrow would leave the Twins alone in third place to end the season.
The Players Who Shined
Travis Adams worked two innings of scoreless relief, giving up two hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. He was the best arm in the bullpen for the Rangers.
Bailey Ober took the loss. He gave up ten hits, six earned runs, and struck out five while walking one.
Royce Lewis went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts for the Twins.
What This Means For Tomorrow
The Rangers control their own destiny. Win tomorrow, and they are in. Lose, and they need help.
The Twins need a win and a Tiger loss to move ahead of Detroit. If neither happens, the Tigers finish third.
The season ends Sunday, and both teams know it.
“See you tomorrow for one last ride!”
That line sums up the stakes. One more game, one more chance.
The Record That Matters
The four doubles in one inning was the headline. The Rangers have not hit that combination since 2009, and doing it made the win count.
Ober was not the story the Rangers wanted. He gave up the runs, and the four-run second inning was the kind of blow that changes a game quickly.
But the win is the result, and the result is what matters.
The Bottom Line
The Rangers hit four doubles in one inning for the first time since 2009, and that was enough to beat the Twins 6-2. The win keeps them alive in the West, and it sets up a dramatic finale on Sunday.
The Twins are in a similar position. They need a win and a Tiger loss to move ahead of Detroit. If neither happens, the Tigers finish third.
The game was delayed by rain, but the result was decisive. The Rangers won, and they live to fight another day.
Source material: “Rangers 6, Twins 2: Ober and Out,” Yahoo Sports.
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