ARLINGTON, Texas (July 18, 2025) — With two outs and the game scoreless in the bottom of the eighth, Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager delivered a clutch two-run double that sealed a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night at Globe Life Field. The win not only extended Detroit’s losing streak to a season-worst five games, but also brought the defending World Series champion Rangers back to the .500 mark at 49-49.
Seager’s timely gap-shot into right-center came off reliever Tommy Kahnle (1-3) and was the difference-maker in what had been a tightly contested pitcher’s duel. The hit extended Seager’s on-base streak to 19 games, as the veteran slugger continues to be a stabilizing force in the Rangers’ lineup.
Corey Comes Through
Texas finally broke the deadlock after Kyle Higashioka doubled with one out and gave way to Cody Freeman, who made his major league debut as a pinch-runner. Josh Smith followed with a walk, setting the stage for Seager.
On a 2-1 pitch from Kahnle, Seager barreled up a fastball and sent it screaming into the right-center gap. Freeman scored easily, and Smith followed closely behind, pumping his fists as he crossed the plate to give the Rangers a much-needed boost.
“Corey’s been locked in,” said Rangers manager Bruce Bochy postgame. “He’s one of those guys you want up in that moment. And he delivered, again.”
Rangers Pitching Stymies MLB’s Top Team
Texas’ pitching staff was stellar, combining for the club’s 10th shutout of the season. Left-hander Patrick Corbin, making just his third start for the Rangers, tossed 5.2 scoreless innings while striking out six and scattering four hits.
He was matched nearly pitch-for-pitch by Detroit’s Reese Olson, who held Texas to just two hits across five-plus innings, striking out five and walking two before exiting after a leadoff double by Jonah Heim in the sixth.
From there, it was a bullpen chess match. Chris Martin (1-5) earned the win with a scoreless eighth, and Robert Garcia closed things down in the ninth for his seventh save in 10 chances, locking down a win that keeps the Rangers alive in the AL Wild Card race.
Tigers’ Slide Continues
The Tigers, who entered the All-Star break with the best record in baseball at 59-34, have now lost five straight for the first time all season. Despite having a league-best six All-Star selections, including standout seasons from Riley Greene, Tarik Skubal, and Kerry Carpenter, Detroit has stumbled out of the gate in the second half.
Friday marked just the sixth time this season the Tigers have been shut out — and their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities haunted them again. They went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
Manager A.J. Hinch expressed frustration but remained focused.
“We’re in a funk right now,” Hinch said. “But it’s a long season. We’re not panicking. We’ve just got to get back to doing the little things right — quality at-bats, situational hitting, clean defense.”
Freeman Makes MLB Debut
One bright spot for Texas was the debut of Cody Freeman, who was called up earlier in the day. The 23-year-old prospect, primarily a shortstop in the minors, didn’t record a plate appearance but made a major impact with his legs, scoring the game’s first run.
“It was a surreal moment,” Freeman said. “To be out there and score the go-ahead run in my first game — it’s something I’ll never forget.”
What’s Next
The Rangers and Tigers continue their three-game set on Saturday. Texas will send Nathan Eovaldi (8-6, 3.97 ERA) to the mound, while Detroit counters with Matt Manning (4-4, 4.12 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. CT.
As the second half gets rolling, the Rangers hope Seager’s heroics and the return to .500 signal the start of a playoff push — while the Tigers look to snap a streak and reassert themselves as the class of the American League.
