What happened: Jacob deGrom struggled through four innings in Minnesota, surrendering eight earned runs on eight hits. The right-hander walked three and struck out five, laboring as the Twins batted around in the second inning.
Why it matters: The rough outing creates a difficult spot for the Rangers, who are fighting to keep their season alive in the final weekend of the regular season. Texas fell behind early in a series opener with significant American League West playoff implications.
By the numbers: deGrom threw 89 pitches to complete his four frames, landing 58 for strikes. The early damage was punctuated by Luke Keaschall's third triple of the season, which plated a pair of runs for Minnesota.
What to watch: Texas will lean on its bullpen and offense to try and salvage the crucial weekend series in Minnesota.