Dreadful Eight: Texas Rangers Blown Out In Minnesota Twins Rout

The misery for the Texas Rangers continues.

The Rangers lost their eighth consecutive game Friday as the Minnesota Twins drubbed them 12-2 at Target Field.

How bad was it for the Rangers? Catcher Austin Hedges pitched the eighth inning. That's how bad.

Texas remains a game ahead of the Houston Astros, who lost to the Detroit 4-1 after the Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth. The Seattle Mariners moved into a tie for first with the Rangers after beating the Kansas City Royals.

The Rangers are reeling after losing for the ninth time in their past 11 games. They are 4-10 since winning their first eight games in August.

"This one, that was just ugly, it really was," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said.

It's the club's longest losing streak since losing nine from Aug. 27 to Sept. 5 last season.

The Twins (67-62) scored four times in the first inning after starter Dane Dunning walked the first two batters. Carlos Correa hit into a double-play but Dunning then walked the next two batters to load the bases before Matt Wallner hit a bases-clearing triple to right field. Ryan Jeffers singled in Wallner to make it 4-0.

"This game is on me," Dunning said. "I just wasn't anywhere near the zone."

The benches briefly cleared after Twins' starter Sonny Gray hit Mitch Garver with a pitch but no punches were thrown.

Dunning said he had no intention of hitting Jeffers, which preceded Gray hitting Garver.

"I mean I walked six batters today," he said.

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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