Luis Curvelo earned his first major-league win Saturday night as the Texas Rangers edged the Seattle Mariners 6-4 in 11 innings at T-Mobile Park. Called upon to replace injured closer Robert Garcia, Curvelo pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, helping the Rangers secure a vital win in the American League West rivalry. The victory boosted Texas’s hopes as they look to make a postseason push.
Curvelo’s appearance came at a critical moment when Garcia left the game with a scapula spasm in the bottom of the 10th inning with a runner on first and two outs. The 24-year-old right-hander, who spent six years in the Mariners’ organization before signing with Texas in the offseason, struck out Eugenio Suarez to end the inning and then retired the Mariners in order in the 11th, after the Rangers scored twice in the top of the frame.
Manager Bruce Bochy Praises Young Pitcher’s Performance
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy expressed high praise for Curvelo’s impactful outing and the team’s collective effort after the game.
“I mean, what a great job. These kids came up and really pitch well and you know we needed it,”
Bochy said.
“(Curvelo’s) got a lot of enthusiasm and passion, you can see it out there and he’s got confidence. He went out there and did a terrific job. I can’t say enough about these guys after a tough loss (Friday night), how they battled back. Just a great effort throughout the lineup.”
Key Offensive Contributions Highlight Rangers’ Rally
Kyle Higashioka went deep and drove in three runs to fuel the Rangers’ offense, which rallied to overcome Seattle’s resilience late in the game. The Mariners answered with a two-run homer by Randy Arozarena in the bottom of the 10th to tie the game. However, the Rangers managed to pull ahead in the 11th inning to claim victory.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson acknowledged his team’s fight in extra innings despite the loss, focusing on the positive effort put forth by his players.
“Coming back again in the extra innings with the home run by Randy, again to tie it back up in the 10th, (that was) huge,”
Wilson said.
“We just weren’t able to come out on top of this today. But a great effort on all those guys’ part.”
Cal Raleigh’s Struggles Highlight Mariners’ Challenges
Seattle’s standout hitter Cal Raleigh, who leads Major League Baseball in both home runs (42) and RBIs (88), struggled at the plate Saturday, going 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. Wilson reassured that Raleigh remains an important part of the team despite a difficult game.
“It was just one of those days for him. We all have those days. That’s going to happen. That’s baseball,”
Wilson said, reflecting on Raleigh’s performance.
Jacob deGrom Takes the Mound Sunday with Rangers Seeking Series Split
Looking ahead, the Texas Rangers will start Jacob deGrom on Sunday as they aim to split the four-game series against the Mariners. deGrom, a former Cy Young Award winner with a 10-3 record and a 2.55 ERA this season, is key to Texas’s hopes of evening the series. In six previous starts against Seattle, deGrom holds a 2-1 record with a 2.51 ERA, including an 8-1 victory in Arlington on May 4.
DeGrom’s most recent outing came in a 6-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, when he gave up five runs over 5 1/3 innings. Still, his consistent performance against the Mariners makes him a trusted option in this pivotal matchup.
Mariners Plan to Counter with Rookie Logan Evans
The Mariners will respond with rookie Logan Evans, who holds a 4-4 record and a 4.22 ERA this season. Evans’s only start against the Rangers was the May 4 game, in which he was credited with the 8-1 defeat, though only one of the six runs he allowed was earned. His last outing was a 6-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics, where he allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Series Outcome Could Influence Playoff Prospects for Rangers
This matchup between the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners holds considerable significance as both teams are battling for standing in the American League West. Securing a series split on Sunday would keep Texas’s momentum alive heading toward the final stretch of the season and potential playoff contention. Jacob deGrom’s role on the mound, combined with a resilient Rangers bullpen and timely hitting, make Sunday’s game critical in the quest to stay competitive in the division race.