Rangers’ young stars power Texas to thrilling comeback win over Diamondbacks

The Texas Rangers continued their ownership of the Arizona Diamondbacks, especially in Phoenix, with a huge comeback win, 7-5 on Monday night.

It was a night for the young up-and-comers Cody Freeman and Alejandro Osuna to take center stage with clutch hits that propelled the team to the win and extended the Rangers' winning streak to 6 in a row and 9 of their last 10. They are 4-0 on their current road trip.

With the Mariners' 10-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rangers are just 1.5 games back and continue to push for the final wild card spot with a roster full of rookies and cast-off free agents playing more than expected with both Corey Seager and Marcus Semien on the IL.

Cody Freeman's game in a Ranger uniform comes in clutch time

Cody Freeman, 24, came up with two big hits to get the game to extra innings. The Pomona, California native had a two-run home run in the 3rd inning to get the Rangers back in the game at 3-2 after starter Patrick Corbin got rocked for three solo homers over the first two innings.

But his most crucial hit came in the top of the ninth when Texas was railing 5-4, Freeman dumped a ball into right field to bring Jake Burger home who tripled the previous at-bat. Chris Martin, in his return from the injured Iist, pitched a scoreless bottom half to push the game to the 10th inning.

Alejandro Osuna delivered the knockout blow in extras

The situation was rife with tension as Alejandro Osuna stepped to the plate in the top of the 10th inning, with runners at second and third and two outs against Juan Burgos.

Osuna has struggled with seeing spotty playing time, going just 2-for-30 and not getting an at-bat since the 20-3 rout on August 27 agains the Los Angeles Angels.

But the 22-year-old rookie stood in with confidence and drilled a lined shot off of Burgos's leg that caromed away, rolling close to the Rangers' dugout. It allowed Michael Helman scored easily and Ezequiel Duran snuck in just under the tag, initially ruled out but changed during replay review, to put the team up.

It's encouraging to see Freeman and Osuna have highlight moments as they continue to adapt to the rigors of major league baseball. It's even more fun when they come at big-time moments like they did in the comeback win.

This was the second late comeback win against Arizona in the four games they've played each other. Back on August 11, Jake Burger delivered a walk0ff double in the 10th to cap a 7-6 comeback win in Arlington.