{
  "id": 6047131,
  "title": "Jake Burger homers twice as Rangers beat Rays 8-6 to split 4-game series",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/jake-burger-homers-twice-as-rangers-beat-rays-8-6-to-split-4-game",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T22:11:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/baseball/2026/09/06/jake-burger-homers-twice-as-rangers-beat-rays-8-6-to-split-4-game-series"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Arlington, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers outfielder Jake Burger hit two home runs and Ezequiel Duran registered his 12th game of at least three hits as the team overcame two four-run deficits to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-6 on Sunday. This victory split a four-game series between the Rangers (71-73) and the Rays (85-58), who possess the American League’s best record. The Rays held a two-game lead in their battle for the AL West lead and the league’s final wild card spot.\n\nThe Rangers took a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning, with Elias Díaz scoring Burger's first run and Duran driving in Logan O’Hoppe. However, the Rays reclaimed the lead in the seventh inning. Corey Seager's solo homer in the eighth inning erased that advantage, as Texas secured a two-run lead.\n\nJakob Junis pitched a perfect ninth inning, earning his sixth save in seven chances. Prior to the game, All-Star closer Jacob Latz allowed a home run in the 10th inning, marking his first loss since April 10. Trevor Williams made his MLB debut for Texas, pitching two scoreless innings and recording his first win since May 2025.\n\nOn Saturday, Latz lost his first game since then, giving up his first home run since June 25. Trevor Williams took the mound for Texas in his first win since May 2025. The Rays went ahead 4-0 in the second inning, facing 10 batters against Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore. Jake Burger led off the second with a home run, and later extended the Rangers' lead with another homer in the fourth inning. This was Burger's ninth career multi-homer game, tying him for the club lead with 25 homers and leading the team with 82 RBIs.\n\nBoth teams will travel for a three-game series starting on Tuesday. Tampa Bay relief pitcher Freddy Peralta (7-11, 4.96 ERA) will start against Atlanta. Texas has not announced a scheduled starter for its game against Seattle.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Jake Burger hit two home runs in Rangers' 8-6 win over Rays",
    "Ezequiel Duran reached 12 games with at least 3 hits",
    "Rangers split 4-game series with Tampa Bay"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Jake Burger homers twice as Rangers beat Rays 8-6 to split 4-game series",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/jake-burger-homers-twice-as-rangers-beat-rays-8-6-to-split-4-game-6048872",
        "published": "2026-09-06T22:10:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}