Rangers Erupt for Six Runs in the First, Matching a Feat Not Seen Since 2022
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard Friday night, erupting for six runs in the first inning against the New York Mets. It was the club’s most explosive opening frame in more than two years, a thunderous statement that sent a charge through Globe Life Field and across Major League Baseball.
The early barrage began when leadoff hitter Marcus Semien worked a full-count walk and Corey Seager followed with a sharp single. By the time Adolis García launched a three-run homer into the left-field seats, the crowd of more than 35,000 was on its feet, roaring as if it were October. Josh Jung added a two-run double and Jonah Heim capped the inning with an RBI single to complete the six-run outburst.
The last time the Rangers scored six in the first inning was back in May 2022, a reminder of how rare such an offensive surge can be. “That’s the way to set the tone,” manager Bruce Bochy said afterward. “Everyone contributed, everyone was locked in from pitch one.”
Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi certainly appreciated the cushion. “It’s incredible to take the mound with a big lead,” he said. “You can attack hitters, pound the strike zone, and let the defense work.”
For Texas, the performance underscored the depth of a lineup that has weathered injuries and inconsistency but remains capable of overwhelming any opponent. Seager, García, and Jung have provided middle-of-the-order thunder all season, but on this night, every spot in the batting order chipped in with a hit, walk, or run scored in the first inning alone.
Fans erupted on social media, quickly circulating clips of the early fireworks and tagging posts with hashtags like #RangersHotStart and #SixRunFirst. “It felt like a playoff game from the first pitch,” said season-ticket holder Carla Mendoza. “The place was shaking.”
The victory also carried added weight as the Rangers continue their chase for postseason positioning. With the American League West standings tight and the Wild Card race fierce, every win matters, and jumping ahead early allowed Bochy to manage his bullpen with confidence.
Texas went on to win 9–4, but the opening inning remained the story. “You dream of innings like that,” said García, whose towering homer was the loudest moment of the night. “We fed off the energy of the fans and kept passing the baton.”
For the Rangers, the six-run first wasn’t just a flash of power—it was a reminder of what their offense can do when everything clicks. As the crowd filed out after the final out, the buzz lingered: if Texas can start games like this in October, opponents beware.
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