PHOENIX -- Jacob Latz is approaching every day the same way, even though his last few weeks have been anything but routine.
His versatility is giving the Rangers an extra element as they enter the stretch run for the 2025 playoffs.
Latz allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings and Alejandro Osuna, Wyatt Langford and Jonah Heim recorded one RBI each, but the Rangers lost 5-3 to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, snapping their six-game winning streak.
The Rangers matched the D-backs’ total of 10 hits, but were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base. The loss means Texas remains 1 1/2 games behind the Mariners for the final AL Wild Card spot following Seattle’s 6-5 loss in Tampa earlier in the day.
“It’s what we talk about all the time, bouncing back is what we have to do,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “It was just an off-night offensively.”
It’s too bad, because Latz has really settled into a groove lately. The 29-year-old southpaw has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his five starts this season, and he struck out one while issuing two walks on Tuesday.
He relied primarily on his four-seamer and changeup, which accounted for 75 percent of his pitches. The D-backs had little issue initiating contact, recording just five whiffs on 34 swings, but Latz kept them off balance while touching 97.9 mph with his heater.
Latz issued two consecutive walks after recording the first out in the sixth, effectively ending his night.
“I felt physically good, I just missed on a couple of pitches there and it really boiled down to that,” Latz said. “It’s unfortunate the way it played out there for all of us.”
Bochy said Latz will remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future, a relatively new development considering he has just six career starts in 78 appearances.
The last few weeks have been an adjustment for Latz, who didn’t even find out he was starting against the Diamondbacks until Monday. Even so, he said he was ready to go regardless of when his number was called, whether it was as a starter or out of the bullpen.
“Just trying to get my mind in the right position as if I was going to pitch that day,” Latz said of his routine over the last few weeks. “I got the normal starter rest, so a couple of days ago I was ready to pitch, and I think that helped going into this outing.”
Once he takes the mound, though, nothing changes.
“Mindset’s the same,” Latz said. “The routine is a little different, being able to have a couple of days under your belt and get things right.”
That versatility could prove to be critical down the stretch, especially as the bullpen continues to shoulder an increased work load. That was evident on Tuesday when reliever Hoby Milner was roughed up in the seventh after allowing singles to Jorge Barrosa and Jordan Lawlar, setting the stage for Ketel Marte’s go-ahead three-run home run.
The D-backs’ DH blasted an 0-1 changeup 414 feet to center field, per Statcast, and marked the first time since June 30 against Baltimore that Milner allowed three earned runs in a game.
He allowed just five in all of August, in fact -- a span of 12 2/3 innings.
“You’re going to have nights like this. You hate to see it, but we’ve been playing so well we won’t dwell on this,” Bochy said. “We’ll put this one behind us and try to get back on a roll.”
Latz’s recent reliability gives Bochy much-needed options as the Rangers make an extended push for the postseason.
Wherever he ends up contributing, though, he said he’s ready, and his formula is simple.
“You just have to prepare every day,” Latz said. “Nothing changes.”