ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers rookie left-hander Robby Ahlstrom is OK not celebrating his first big league victory a second time.
That celebratory beer shower Ahlstrom got in the clubhouse after a road win in Kansas City just came four days before he was officially awarded that win.
“I mean, we celebrated like I did (get the win). I mean everybody thought it was going to be that way," Ahlstrom said before the Rangers played Tuesday, two days before his 27th birthday and a day after an appealed scoring change rightfully made him a winner.
“A little interesting finding out after the fact,” he said. "I was more thinking of like, I don’t want to go through that beer shower again.”
Ahlstrom came on with two outs in the fifth inning and a runner on in the finale of a four-game series against the Royals last Thursday. He retired all four batters he faced while Texas extended its lead to 4-2. Cole Winn then threw a scoreless inning and closer Jacob Latz finished it with two perfect innings.
Since Texas starter Kumar Rocker had exited one out shy of qualifying for the win, it was assumed by everyone — except the official scorer that day — that Ahlstrom was the winner in his fourth big league appearance, and Latz had another save.
It wasn't until Ahlstrom checked his phone afterward that he saw the official box score listing Latz as the winner instead.
“No one wants to get beer poured on them if they don’t even get the win,” Latz said. “So we’re happy that it was actually meaningful.”
The Rangers appealed the decision by the scorer. That process included input from Latz, who noted that he had entered the game in a save situation and said Ahlstrom deserved the win.
MLB made the change Monday, with manager Skip Schumaker informing Ahlstrom just before pregame stretch and congratulating him again for his first win. His fellow relievers cheered the news.
“He got the beer shower already, so I’m glad he didn’t have to do that again,” said Schumaker, adding he was excited for Ahlstrom, who made his big league debut June 3.
“You put MLB next to it, it’s kind of cool getting your debut, your first strikeout. But the ultimate goal is to come up here and help the team win ballgames,” Ahlstrom said. “So if you have a 'W' next to your name, you did something right. So I think that’d be the coolest part.”
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Texas Rangers pitcher Robby Ahlstrom throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Voters in the San Francisco Bay Area congressional district formerly represented by Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwellcast their ballots Tuesday to determine who will replace him after he resigned from Congress amid allegations of sexual assault.
Polls closed at night for the special primary in the 14th Congressional District, which includes East Bay cities such as Fremont, Hayward and Livermore. It heavily favors Democrats, and Swalwell typically beat Republican challengers by wide vote margins.
If any candidate receives over 50% of the vote, they will win outright and serve out the remainder of Swalwell's term through January. If not, the top two from the field of Democratic and Republican candidates will move on to an Aug. 18 runoff.
Among the 11 names on the ballot were Democrats Aisha Wahab, state senator who focused her campaign message on reducing housing costs, and Melissa Hernandez, a Bay Area Rapid Transit director and former mayor of the East Bay city of Dublin.
The two represent different wings of the party that have been battling in numerous states this primary season.
Wahab, a progressive, has focused on combating high costs by expanding the social safety net and taking aim at “corporate profiteering,” while Hernandez, considered a moderate, pushed a platform of job growth and supporting small businesses.
Republicans in the race included Wendy Huang, a real estate investor, and Dena Maldonado, who runs a small flower business.
Separate from the special election, a regular primary was held June 2 for a full term to the seat beginning in January, with many of the same candidates who are on Tuesday's ballot.
Wahab and Hernandez were the top two vote-getters June 2 and advanced to the general election in November. If one of them comes out on top in the special election, their hope is that serving in the office for a few months this summer and fall could provide a boost in visibility and some job experience they can tout as they campaign for the full term.
Another Democrat who ran in the earlier primary but who failed to crack the top two, attorney and businessperson Rakhi Israni Singh, was also on Tuesday's ballot.
Swalwell held the seat for seven terms before resigning in April — and also dropping out of this year's governor’s race — after the San Francisco Chronicle reported allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him.
CNN later reported that other women accused him of sending inappropriate messages and nude photos.
Swalwell has repeatedly denied the accusations, but he said it would be unfair to his constituents to remain in Congress.
Melissa Hernandez, right, a Democratic candidate for Congress in California's 14th district, talks to campaign volunteers during a canvassing event on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Pleasanton, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker )
D-Calif. State Sen. Aisha Wahab stands with a colleague at the state legislature on Monday, June 15, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker)
Melissa Hernandez, a Democratic candidate for Congress in California's 14th district, knocks on doors on Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Pleasanton, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker )
D-Calif. State Sen. Aisha Wahab attends the state legislature on Monday, June 15, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker)
