Although Corey Seager left the game early in the second inning due to tightness in his hamstring, the Texas lineup surged with a remarkable performance.

It might have taken an unexpected bullpen game from the Detroit Tigers to spark the Texas Rangers’ offense, but maintaining that momentum will require much more if their top hitter is sidelined for an extended period.

On the positive side, Texas, which struggled to score only two runs in the first two games of their series against Detroit at Globe Life Field, showcased an explosive offense in a decisive 9-1 victory in the series finale. 

The Rangers’ hitters capitalized on a Detroit bullpen that was pressed into action early following starter Kenta Maeda’s departure after just two pitches due to abdominal discomfort. Jonah Heim and Josh Smith each belted home runs and narrowly missed hitting for the cycle. Nathaniel Lowe broke out of his slump with a pair of hits, contributing a run and an RBI. Additionally, reminiscent of their formidable offense from the previous year, the Rangers forced the Tigers to utilize a position player on the mound in the eighth inning.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy expressed optimism in the postgame interview, indicating that the team does not view Corey Seager’s hamstring tightness as a significant concern. Seager will not undergo an MRI at this time, and his condition will continue to be monitored leading up to Friday’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants.

“By Friday, we’ll have a clearer picture of Corey’s status,” Bochy remarked. “He may require a day off, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

The Rangers will rely on Bochy’s positive outlook to materialize if they hope to sustain the momentum from Wednesday’s offensive outburst. Seager’s absence would be a notable loss, particularly considering his impressive performance in May. Named the club’s player of the month, Seager posted impressive statistics, slashing .287/.387/.660 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs. 

A particularly remarkable streak of eight home runs in eight games fueled his contributions. With a 1.8 WAR, according to FanGraphs, Seager ranks fourth among all American League shortstops, and his 13 home runs place him second in the league. Only Marcus Semien (2.4 WAR) has contributed more to the Rangers than Seager. Additionally, Seager’s current streak of reaching base in 28 consecutive games marks a career-best achievement.

Seager’s history with hamstring issues raises concerns, as he previously exited a game against the Kansas City Royals last April due to left hamstring tightness. This injury ultimately led to his placement on the injured list one day later, resulting in a 31-game absence. However, despite his absence, the Rangers managed to maintain their offensive production, averaging 6.2 runs per game during his time on the sidelines. This resilience was a pivotal factor in kick-starting a successful month of May, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season.

Undoubtedly, it’s evident that this season’s Rangers offense differs significantly from that of last year. In May, Texas endured a challenging 14-game span during which it failed to score more than four runs in any game. Wednesday’s nine-run display marked the team’s most prolific offensive output since a victory over the Oakland Athletics on May 8. 

Compounding the offensive struggles are the injuries plaguing key players. Josh Jung remains sidelined with a fractured wrist, while Evan Carter’s ongoing back issues may sideline him for another month. Additionally, key contributors such as Marcus Semien, Adolis García, and Nathaniel Lowe have experienced fluctuations in form, with each player navigating periods of slumps throughout the season.

Now the bad news: Corey Seager, who drove in the game’s first run with a second-inning single — pulled up to first base awkwardly and exited immediately afterward with what the Rangers called left hamstring tightness.

Since May began, Seager has consistently contributed to the Rangers’ offense, demonstrating his reliability even during dry spells. His RBI single in the second inning, which brought Travis Jankowski home from second base, kickstarted a potent offensive display reminiscent of last season’s success.

In the third inning, both Smith and Heim, recently named to the American League All-Star ballot, added to the Rangers’ lead with home runs, extending their advantage to 4-0. Texas continued to pile on runs, scoring twice more in the sixth inning thanks to a hard-hit ball from Ezequiel Duran that resulted in a run-scoring error, along with a single from Smith. Their offensive onslaught persisted in the eighth inning, where they scored three more runs to secure a commanding 9-1 lead, prompting the Tigers to deploy shortstop Zach McKinstry as a pitcher.

Heim delivered an impressive performance, going 3 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Smith also had a standout game, going 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored, elevating his season slash line to .290/.377/.440. The 26-year-old, who transitioned from a backup role to a starter, has been in excellent form lately, recording hits in eight of his last nine games. His impressive on-base percentage currently ranks seventh in the American League.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy commended Smith’s contributions, highlighting his versatility and invaluable role in filling the void left by injuries. Bochy emphasized Smith’s significance to the team and advocated for his inclusion on the All-Star ballot.Regarding overperforming substitutes, starting pitcher José Ureña, who may potentially return to the bullpen if Jon Gray reenters the rotation this weekend, showcased an exceptional performance. He carried a perfect game into the sixth inning and concluded his sixth start for the Rangers with 6 2/3 innings of one-hit, one-run baseball.

The 32-year-old right-hander retired 15 consecutive batters before Detroit rookie Justyn-Henry Malloy broke up the perfect game bid by launching a sinker over the left field wall for his first career hit and home run. Ureña then proceeded to retire the next five Detroit batters he faced before issuing a walk to Gio Urshela on eight pitches with two outs in the seventh inning. At that point, he was relieved by right-hander David Robertson. Robertson, along with closer Kirby Yates, combined to pitch 2 1/3 innings of shutout baseball to seal the victory.