Semien Breaks Out, Rangers Bats Come Alive in 11-1 Rout Over Cardinals
ARLINGTON — A beautiful evening in North Texas set the tone for a refreshing change at Globe Life Field, where the roof was open and the Rangers' offense finally let some light in.
With temperatures in the mid-70s and skies clear, the Rangers kicked off their weekend series against the Cardinals with an emphatic 11-1 victory on Friday night — one of their most complete performances in weeks.
The bats were booming from the start, notching 15 hits — a stark contrast to their struggles earlier in the week against the Blue Jays, where they managed just three runs over three games. They matched that output in just one inning Friday, tagging Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore for four runs in the second alone.
The offensive surge was a welcome sight for Texas’ starting rotation, which has quietly performed well all season with little support to show for it. Rookie Jack Leiter continued his impressive development with 5 2/3 shutout innings, striking out six and earning high praise for his poise on the mound.
“Seeing the offense jump out early like that — it’s a huge confidence boost,” Leiter said postgame. “And Marcus, man... he’s a leader on this team. Stats aside, he shows up every day, and it was awesome to see him have a night like that.”
Marcus Semien, who has battled through one of the roughest stretches of his career, led the charge from the bottom of the order. Once the team’s regular leadoff man, Semien has seen his spot in the lineup slip along with his numbers. But Friday, he broke out in a big way.
Semien went 4-for-5, including a two-run home run in the seventh inning — his first extra-base hit in nearly three weeks and his first four-hit game in over a year. The performance lifted his average from .173 to .190 and snapped a 21-game drought without a multi-hit game.
“It’s not about me,” Semien said afterward. “It feels good to contribute, sure, but this was a team win. We put together good at-bats up and down the lineup, and that’s what made the difference.”
Manager Bruce Bochy has watched Semien grind through his slump and praised his work ethic and leadership, regardless of the results.
“He’s battling,” Bochy said. “He's trying everything he can. It’s not for a lack of effort. And honestly, as a group, maybe we’re pressing too hard. Sometimes that can backfire. But Marcus is key to this team — when he’s right, everything starts clicking.”
Indeed, the Rangers’ offensive woes haven’t fallen on one player alone. But with Semien rediscovering his swing and the team executing throughout the lineup, Friday’s win felt like more than just another game — it felt like a reset.
As Bochy summed it up: “This team isn’t about one guy — not Marcus, not Corey [Seager], not anyone. It’s about everyone doing their part. And tonight, we saw what that looks like.”