Rangers Fall to Dodgers, but Show Fight Against MLB's Best

Texas battles back against the back-to-back defending World Series champions

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, with the players and field abstracted into angular shapes and planes of color, capturing the intensity and energy of the matchup.The Rangers' hard-fought battle against the powerhouse Dodgers showcases their ability to compete with the best teams in baseball.Los Angeles Today

The Texas Rangers put up a strong fight against the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite falling 6-3 in the second game of their series. The Rangers forced the Dodgers to use their high-leverage relief pitchers and brought the tying run to the plate in the final frame, reminding center fielder Evan Carter of the team's resilience in 2023. While the results weren't there, the Rangers' performance displayed the team's ability to compete with baseball's elite.

Why it matters

The Rangers' competitive showing against the powerhouse Dodgers, despite the loss, demonstrates the team's potential and ability to battle with the best in the league. This could be an important building block for the Rangers as they look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

The details

The Rangers fell behind early, as starter Jack Leiter struggled, allowing five runs in the first four innings. However, the Rangers' bullpen kept them in the game, and Brandon Nimmo hit a pair of home runs to keep the team within striking distance. In the ninth inning, the Rangers forced the Dodgers to bring in their high-leverage relievers, nearly tying the game before ultimately falling 6-3.

  • The Rangers' loss on Saturday was their first road series loss of the season.
  • The Rangers had swept their division rivals earlier in the week, building momentum before the West Coast road trip.

The players

Jack Leiter

The Rangers' starting pitcher, who had been one of their best performers through the first two-plus weeks of the season, struggled, allowing five runs in 3.1 innings.

Brandon Nimmo

The Rangers' right fielder hit a pair of home runs against Dodgers starter Emmett Sheehan, keeping the team within striking distance.

Evan Carter

The Rangers' center fielder, who nearly played hero in the team's loss on Friday, said the team's resilience in this series reminded him of the 2023 squad.

Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers' four-time MVP designated hitter hit a leadoff home run in the first inning to give Los Angeles an early lead.

Teoscar Hernandez

The Dodgers' left fielder hit a three-run home run in the first inning to extend Los Angeles' early advantage.

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What they’re saying

“I felt that way in [2023], too, where no matter what the score was, at any point of the game, we can come back. That's kind of the feeling that you have right now.”

— Evan Carter, Rangers center fielder

“The major leagues is about winning. I know that the results are the results. We are trying to win the game. We're not here just to get to the ninth and see what happens. But, I do really appreciate what's inside that clubhouse, and if we do that through 162, we're going to be okay.”

— Skip Schumaker, Rangers manager

“Everybody wants to pick each other up. I kind of felt it with the bullpen today. Everybody knows that this isn't the outcome that a starting pitcher is hoping for. They kind of pat you on the back and try to pick you up. That, to me, is the sign of a good team.”

— Jack Leiter, Rangers starting pitcher

“We made them pull Treinen and bring in Vesia. That's always a win, too, because Vesia goes back-to-back there where he probably wouldn't if you just probably roll over. We feel really good about it. That's one of the best teams in baseball and we went toe-to-toe with them. I think that gives us a lot of confidence.”

— Jake Burger, Rangers first baseman

What’s next

The Rangers will look to bounce back and avoid a series sweep when they face the Dodgers in the final game of the three-game set on Sunday.

The takeaway

While the Rangers ultimately fell short against the Dodgers, their competitive performance and resilience against one of baseball's elite teams is an encouraging sign for the team's future. The Rangers showed they can battle with the best, and this experience could prove valuable as they continue their pursuit of a return to the playoffs.