Field Level Media
Jun 27, 2018
Rangers left-hander Mike Minor retired the first 19 hitters he faced Wednesday and allowed no runs on one hit through seven innings, leading Texas to a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in the rubber match of a three-game series at Arlington, Texas.
Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer sharply grounded a single to center with one out in the seventh to end Minor's bid for the sixth no-hitter and second perfect game in Rangers history. Kenny Rogers was perfect in Texas' most recent no-hitter on July 28, 1994.
Minor had considerable help from his defense before and after Hosmer's single.
The Padres hit five consecutive line drives to Ranger outfielders between the second and third innings, and Texas center fielder Delino DeShields made an over-the-shoulder running catch on the warning catch of a Manuel Margot drive in the fourth.
Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus threw out Jose Pirela from the hole behind third in the fifth, and third baseman Jurickson Profar speared an Austin Hedges liner with one out in the sixth.
After Hosmer singled in the seventh, DeShields made a leaping catch at the wall in center to rob Hunter Renfroe of a home run.
Minor (6-4) had five strikeouts and no walks. Keone Kela, the third Texas reliever, struck out two in a perfect ninth to pick up his 20th save.
Left-handed Padres starter Clayton Richard (7-7) gave up four runs on 10 hits and a walk with three strikeouts in seven innings. The result snapped his personal four-decision winning streak.
The Rangers scored twice in the third after Richard retired the first two hitters. Andrus doubled down the line in left and scored on an Adrian Beltre double into the right field corner. After Richard hit Rougned Odor with a pitch, Profar singled home Beltre.
Joey Gallo drew a walk to open the fourth, raced to third on a single by Shin-Soo Choo and scored on DeShields' perfectly placed bunt single.
The Rangers stretched the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh. Odor reached on a forceout, stole second and scored on an Isiah Kiner-Falefa single.
Ryan Rua homered in the eighth for the Rangers' final run.
The Padres scored two runs against the Texas bullpen in the eighth. Christian Villanueva doubled to open the inning against right-hander Chris Martin and moved to third on Pirela's single. Hedges doubled home Villanueva. Right-hander Jose Leclerc replaced Martin and issued two walks to force home the second run before striking out Wil Myers with the bases loaded to end the inning.
--Field Level Media