ARLINGTON -- Jack Leiter was an out away from a quality start and from exiting the game with the Rangers and Marlins tied in the middle of the sixth inning.
But then, the Rangers rookie surrendered back-to-back homers to Troy Johnston and Connor Norby, ending his night. It was the first time he yielded consecutive home runs in his career.
“The first one just got out, I think the second one, that's the pitch he'd like to have back,” said manager Bruce Bochy. “He had good stuff tonight. Again, he made pitches when he had to, when we had the bases loaded. He's just getting better. He just left a pitch, a breaking ball up there that they took advantage of.”
Leiter was tagged with the loss as the Rangers fell, 4-3, to the Marlins at Globe Life Field on Saturday night. Texas has now lost the first two in the three-game set against Miami, and the club’s postseason chances continue to plummet.
Texas has now dropped a season-high-tying six straight games, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Astros in Houston earlier this week. The American League West crown -- while maybe a pipe dream -- seemed plausible a week ago. Now, the Rangers sit seven games behind the Mariners, as well as five games behind the Astros and Guardians for the final Wild Card berth with seven games left in the season.
“Right now, kind of in the moment, [I’m] just frustrated, pissed off,” Leiter said. “This was a stretch where we needed to win the most. We're on a six-game losing streak, and I’m two of those. So I just need to be better. … Before tonight, I was looking at hopefully making the playoffs. It’s not over, till it’s over. Obviously, the last two felt like must-win games, so it's super disappointing.”
Leiter was in control most of the night and only gave up one other extra-base hit before those fateful sixth-inning homers. It’s the first time that the 25-year-old has given up more than three earned runs since June 17 against the Royals, a span of 15 starts. That was also the last time Leiter was tagged for a loss at Globe Life Field.
But while Leiter gave up the deciding runs, the Rangers' offense didn’t provide much support either. Over his last four starts, Leiter has only received seven total runs of support while allowing eight earned runs.
“At this point, it's reflecting on this one,” Leiter said. “I can't change anything that happened tonight. [I have to] move on and get ready for the next one and keep attacking it like we always do.”
After the game, Leiter didn’t want to think or talk much about his season as a whole, noting the frustration from the day’s loss. But his development has no doubt been one of the biggest highlights in an otherwise disappointing season for the Rangers.
Leiter, Texas' No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, will finish his first full big league season with 29 starts and likely more than 150 innings. He’s solidified himself as part of the Rangers rotation for the present and future.
While many fans have been frustrated with Leiter’s track through the Minors and some of the hiccups he’s had in the big leagues, president of baseball operations Chris Young has always said that pitching development isn’t linear.
Bochy agreed that maybe Leiter is the singular biggest growth from the club this season.
“I would agree with that,” Bochy said. “With what you saw from day one and where he's at now, he's doing a good job of not letting the game get away and keeping his poise. He's been consistent with getting us in the sixth and seventh innings; he maintains his stuff and his focus. It just got better with Jack, and I think he should feel good about how he's throwing the ball.”