So, before Sunday’s series final vs. the Houston Astros melted down in tremendous fashion, Rangers right-handed pitcher Jack Leiter shoved. Like, flirted-with-a-no-hitter shoved, and if he’d kept his ledger clean and remained in the game, he might’ve had enough gas left in the tank to go the distance.

This was the version of Jack Leiter that the Rangers have been waiting for. The Texas rookie, in his first taste of the Silver Boot Series, did his best to put the team on his back to try to secure a series win over the Astros.

The Texas Rangers lost a heartbreaker to the hated rival Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon with a chance to take the four-game set. Though the loss stung treme

Kennedi Landry writes that Jack Leiter was flirting with something special on Sunday before the finale was ultimately ruined late. McFarland writes that the first Silver Boot series of the year was soured by a couple of poor late innings that wiped out potential wins.

Despite a couple of wins against their rivals, the Texas Rangers saw late-innings leads evaporate to leave the Silver Boot skirmish tied through one series.

In his 12th career start, Rangers righty Jack Leiter finally reached a milestone that is a necessary step for anyone with any hopes of developing into a Major League ace: getting through six innings for the first time.

BOTTOM LINE: The Texas Rangers lead 2-1 in a four-game series against the Houston Astros. Texas has gone 17-9 in home games and 25-22 overall. The Rangers have a 15-5 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.