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

Leiter was referring to his uncle’s tour de force in the Wild Card tie-breaker in ’99. The elder Leiter threw a two-hit shutout in a 5-0 victory over Cincinnati that sent the Mets to the playoffs for the first time since 1986.

Jack Leiter pitched a phenomenal game, taking a no hitter 6.2 innings before giving up a solo homerun to end the no hitter and the shutout. Whats worse, Texas lost the game 3-4 after Robert Garcia gave up a three-run home run. Two of those runners were inherited, one of which Leiter struck out a number of times before he singled to get on base.

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.