This is what happens when you go into a season without a closer. The Rangers have been operating on smoke and mirrors all season with Luke Jackson, Chris Martin, and Robert Garcia masquerading as closers.

The whole situation has been showing cracks all season, but they’ve dodged a bullet for much of the season. 

Latetly, it’s catching up to them. 

The biggest surprise was Bruce Bochy’s choice of Luke Jackson to close on opening day. Jackson was in his second stint with the Rangers. His first stint ended with a 10.80 ERA in 2016. 

His first game this year ended with him allowing three runs in the top of the ninth to get the opening day loss. 

He did, however, earn saves in his next seven opportunities and had a run of good games before hitting a snag and losing the closer’s role.

He’s been rocky lately. Last night, he gave up three runs in the bottom of the eighth to pick up the loss in a frustrating game that saw Chris Martin blow a two-run lead which gave way to Jackon’s meltdown. 

The Rangers lost leads of 3-1, 5-4, and 8-6. It wasn’t Chris Martin’s first breakdown. He’s had a lot of those lately. Luke Jackson isn’t reliable. Neither is Robert Garcia. 

This frustrating season just keeps finding more ways to be frustrating.

*****