The Rangers had a chance to pick up an important win on Sunday against the Twins. In a tie game in the 13th inning, Texas turned the ball over to reliever Jonathan Hernandez, a decision which did not pay dividends.
After striking out the first two batters of the inning, Hernandez was suddenly unable to find the strike zone. The right-hander proceeded to walk three consecutive batters, losing the game in extra innings via a walk-off walk.
In his last 14 pitches of Sunday’s outing, Hernandez threw a total of two strikes. The final batter of the game, Michael A. Taylor, walked on four straight pitches, all of which missed low and inside.
The Rangers have now lost nine of their last 10 games, losing the top seed in the AL West to the surging Mariners.
After what was possibly the most painful loss of the season, MLB fans showed Texas no mercy on social media, ripping into the pitching performance from Hernandez.
A four-ball walk with the bases loaded and the Twins beat the Rangers in 12 innings! pic.twitter.com/CB6slFs0Gb
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 27, 2023
Jonathan Hernández walks 3 straight batters with two outs, throwing just two strikes in last 14 pitches. The Rangers lose 7-6. What a disaster.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 27, 2023
Jonathan Hernandez would’ve been better off tossing an underhand 40 mph pitch then walking Michael Taylor there. That’s the biggest choke I’ve ever seen out of a baseball team.
— Mike Ortiz Jr. (@TrustOrtiz) August 27, 2023
Rangers lose 7-6 after Jonathan Hernandez walks the last three batters of the game including the walk that scored the winning run. If Seattle wins Texas will fall to second place in the division. It is probably deserved at this point.
— Nolan Writin' (@NolanWritinFS) August 27, 2023
Jonathan Hernandez needs to be sent down
— Dallas Nation (@TheDallasNation) August 27, 2023
Walk 3 straight batters to (ultimately) lose the game? Inexcusable!
The Minnesota Twins didn’t have to swing the bat or put the ball in play to win this game in extra innings
Rangers LOSE on a walk off four-pitch walk.
— Mike Salk, Seattle Sports (@TheMikeSalk) August 27, 2023
The Rangers after watching the #MNTwins walk the game away last night pic.twitter.com/fqjYwEx3Vc
— Cody Pirkl (@CodyPirkl) August 27, 2023
Meltdown complete. https://t.co/duBnGY1ODk
— Jeremy (@AstonVillanUSA) August 27, 2023
