Rangers rally behind Helman’s heroics to edge Brewers 5-4 and close gap on Astros in division race
ARLINGTON, TX – The Texas Rangers have proven to be a formidable force at Globe Life Field this season, leveraging their home advantage to gain crucial ground in the divisional race. As they entered Tuesday night’s showdown against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Rangers were positioned three and a half games behind the Houston Astros, while trailing the Seattle Mariners by a game and a half for a wild card spot. A victory against the Brewers would not only narrow the gap with Houston, who lost to the Blue Jays earlier, but also provide a much-needed boost for Texas.
Early Momentum and Defensive Brilliance
The game began without any scoring in the first inning, but the Rangers quickly seized the lead in the second. Cody Freeman delivered a sharp base hit that brought home Josh Jung, giving Texas a 1-0 advantage. However, it was in the fifth inning that Michael Helman etched his name into the game’s narrative with a spectacular defensive play. Helman robbed Brice Turang of a potential two-run homer, showcasing his athleticism and commitment to the game.
Jack Leiter, who shared the field with Helman, spoke highly of his teammate post-game, saying, “This was Helman’s game. It’s two in a row… It’s a pretty unbelievable two days. I’m sure he’d say that’s pretty hard to top for the best two days of his life. It’s incredible. He’s a really good player.” However, despite Helman’s heroics, the Brewers found a way to rally. A single from Christian Yelich drove in Joey Ortiz, followed by a double from William Contreras that scored both Jackson Chourio and Yelich, shifting the momentum to Milwaukee and giving them a 3-1 lead.
Helman Strikes Back
But the Rangers were not to be outdone. In the very next half-inning, Helman demonstrated his offensive prowess by smashing a two-run home run, marking his second of the series and fifth of the season. This blast not only reignited the Rangers’ hopes but also highlighted his remarkable run, as he now boasts 17 RBIs in his last 17 games. Reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions over the past day, Helman shared, “A huge adrenaline rush, I couldn’t sleep last night. I had a bunch of adrenaline still going. But it’s cool. It’s fun. I just want to play the game hard, play the game right. When I’m on defense, I’m willing to put my body on the line to go make plays. When you play the game hard, good things usually happen.”
The Rangers continued their offensive assault, adding two more runs in the same inning. Wyatt Langford showcased his speed with a triple before scoring on a hit by Smith. Langford would later touch home again on a double from Kyle Higashioka, pushing the Rangers to a 5-3 lead.
Nail-Biting Finish
As the game wound down to the ninth inning, the Rangers found themselves clinging to a narrow 5-3 advantage. However, tension filled the air when Jake Bauers launched his seventh home run of the season, bringing the Brewers within one run and intensifying the drama. Ultimately, the Rangers held on for a tense 5-4 victory.
After the game, manager Bruce Bochy expressed his enthusiasm for Helman’s standout performance, stating, “I’m happy for this guy. Here he is getting a chance and taking full advantage of it. He’s been fun to watch. He’s had two terrific games, but he’s helped us in some other games too. I couldn’t be happier for a guy like this. We’re having fun with it, watching this guy play so well.”
With one more game remaining in the series, the Rangers are eager to complete a sweep before heading to Houston, where they will face their chief rivals in the division. The energy in Arlington is palpable as fans rally behind Helman and the team, eager to witness what comes next.
