ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers wasted no time in making their presence felt Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Field, exploding for eight runs in the first three innings on their way to an emphatic 8-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The win capped a three-game sweep and extended the Rangers’ winning streak to six games as they continue to surge in the American League playoff race.

Josh Smith and Wyatt Langford delivered the biggest blows of the day, while rookie Jack Leiter continued his steady rise with a strong outing on the mound. With the victory, Texas (56-50) pushed six games over .500 for the first time since April 6 and pulled within a half-game of a coveted AL Wild Card spot.

First-Inning Fireworks

Texas wasted little time putting pressure on Braves starter Bryce Elder, who grew up just an hour northwest of Arlington in Decatur. After Corey Seager extended his on-base streak to 27 games with a first-inning single, Smith launched a towering two-run home run to right field, giving the Rangers a quick 2-0 lead.

The bats stayed hot in the second. With the bases loaded and one out, Langford cleared the bags with a booming double to the left-center gap, widening the margin to 5-0. The rookie’s swing electrified the home crowd and further cemented his reputation as one of baseball’s most dangerous young hitters.

Jung Adds On

Josh Jung added to the early onslaught in the third inning, ripping a two-run single up the middle to push the Rangers’ advantage to 7-0. Langford later scored on a sacrifice fly, completing Texas’ eight-run burst in just three innings.

From that point forward, it was clear the Braves were in survival mode. Elder (4-7) endured the brunt of the damage, surrendering all eight runs before being lifted.

Leiter Shines on the Hill

With a big lead in hand, Jack Leiter went to work. The rookie right-hander showcased poise and command, tossing six innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run. He walked three but struck out seven, tying his career high, and reached a career-best 100 pitches before handing the ball to the bullpen.

Leiter’s biggest moment came in the second inning. After Sean Murphy drove in a run with a double, the Braves had runners on second and third with one out. But Leiter bore down, inducing soft contact from Ozzie Albies and Nick Allen to escape the jam and preserve a 3-1 lead. That sequence proved pivotal, as the Rangers’ offense exploded shortly after.

“Jack showed a lot of maturity out there today,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He got into trouble early, but he kept his composure and made pitches when we needed them most.”

Braves’ Slide Continues

The loss dropped Atlanta to 44-60 and marked their fifth straight defeat. With only four hits on the afternoon, the Braves’ offense once again struggled to generate momentum. Having reached the postseason in seven consecutive years, Atlanta now finds itself 12 games out of a Wild Card spot with the season entering its stretch run.

Meanwhile, Texas has put together one of its best stretches of the season. The Rangers closed their post-All-Star break homestand with an 8-1 record, making up significant ground in the AL West. They now sit just four games back in the division standings.

Key Stats & Notes

• Corey Seager extended his on-base streak to 27 games, the longest active streak in Major League Baseball.

• The Rangers have won six straight games, outscoring opponents 34-13 during the streak.

• Texas went 8-1 on its first homestand after the All-Star break, its best nine-game stretch at home since May 2023.

• Aaron Zavala’s ninth home run ties his most in a single season since 2022.

Up Next

Both clubs now head back on the road. Atlanta travels to Kansas City, where RHP Spencer Strider (4-8, 3.72 ERA) faces veteran lefty Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80 ERA). Texas heads west to Anaheim, where RHP Jacob deGrom (10-2, 2.28 ERA) takes the ball against Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (3-9, 6.03 ERA).

With their offense clicking and their pitching finding form, the Rangers appear primed to make a serious push as the calendar turns toward August.