Texas Rangers Rally to Beat Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2, Avoiding Series Sweep
The Texas Rangers avoided a three-game sweep on Sunday, April 12, 2026, securing a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite an early lead for Los Angeles fueled by a historic start from Shohei Ohtani, the Rangers rallied behind strong pitching from Jacob deGrom and timely hitting from Evan Carter and Brandon Nimmo to take the game.
Ohtani’s Historic Start Met by deGrom’s Dominance
The game began with a fireworks display as Shohei Ohtani connected off Jacob deGrom for a leadoff home run, marking his second straight leadoff homer and his fifth of the season. This blast was Ohtani’s 26th career leadoff home run and extended his on-base streak to 46 games, the fifth-longest in Dodgers history. According to ESPN, this streak trails only Duke Snider, Shawn Green, Willie Keeler, and Ron Cey.
However, the run was the only one the Rangers surrendered in six innings. Jacob deGrom earned the win (1-0), delivering a dominant performance by striking out nine and allowing only four hits and three walks. This victory marked only the second time deGrom has beaten the Dodgers in 13 regular-season starts.
Key Turning Points and Rangers’ Offense
Texas overcame the early deficit in the third inning. Evan Carter hit a solo home run off Roki Sasaki to tie the game, followed by an RBI single from Josh Smith to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.
The Rangers extended their lead in the later frames:
- Sixth Inning: Brandon Nimmo drove in a run with a groundout against Jack Dreyer.
- Eighth Inning: Nimmo added an RBI single against Will Klein.
- Eighth Inning: Ezequiel Duran scored on a wild pitch thrown by Klein.
The Dodgers attempted a comeback in the seventh inning when Kyle Tucker hit an RBI single off Jacob Latz to bring the score to 3-2, but the Texas bullpen held firm. Jakob Junis closed out the game with a hitless ninth inning to earn his third save.
Pitching Breakdown: Sasaki and the Dodgers’ Struggle
Roki Sasaki struggled to find consistency, taking the loss (0-2). Sasaki pitched four innings, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks. While he recorded a career-high six strikeouts, his ERA dropped to 6.23 following the outing.
Game Summary Table
| Stat | Texas Rangers | LA Dodgers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 5 | 2 |
| Hits | – | – |
| Winning Pitcher | Jacob deGrom (1-0) | – |
| Losing Pitcher | – | Roki Sasaki (0-2) |
| Save | Jakob Junis (3) | – |
Key Takeaways
- Ohtani’s Streak: Shohei Ohtani continues to defy expectations with back-to-back leadoff homers and a 46-game on-base streak.
- deGrom’s Return to Form: Jacob deGrom’s six-inning, one-run performance underscores his impact on the Rangers’ rotation.
- Umpire Challenges: Texas catcher Danny Jansen successfully overturned four of five ABS challenges against plate umpire Charlie Ramos.
What’s Next
The Texas Rangers head to face the Athletics in a four-game series starting Monday, with RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 7.89 ERA) scheduled to start. The Los Angeles Dodgers will open a series against the New York Mets on Monday, featuring LHP Justin Wrobleski (1-0, 4.00) on the mound.
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