In Arlington, Texas, the Texas Rangers showcased both a potent offensive display and an impressive pitching performance from Jacob deGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner. DeGrom, who struck out seven batters over six scoreless innings, secured his first win in more than two years, despite having performed well enough in previous outings this season to earn a victory.
Reflecting on the win, deGrom remarked, “When was the last one, ‘23? Yeah, it’s been a while,” following the Rangers’ commanding 15-2 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night. Marcus Semien, the Rangers’ second baseman, praised deGrom’s efforts, noting, “He earned it. He had great stuff tonight, he kept us on our toes.” He observed that the team’s prolonged at-bats, combined with deGrom’s ability to secure quick outs, contributed to the effective team performance.
At 36, deGrom (1-1) achieved his first win after a 737-day gap, having last defeated the A’s on April 23, 2023, before undergoing Tommy John surgery that restricted him to a single start in his debut season with Texas. Over 65 pitches, 47 of which were strikes, deGrom allowed only four singles and did not issue any walks. His efficient outing was cut short by the Rangers’ explosive eight-run sixth inning, which equaled their previous season high for an entire game and gave them a 12-0 advantage.
DeGrom was oblivious to his precise pitch count during the game, estimating it to be in the “70s or something to 80,” a sentiment echoed by catcher Jonah Heim. Heim emphasized deGrom’s dominance, describing it as, “A lot of strikeouts that…just overpowered a lot of hitters, which is who he is. He’s got that electric fastball.”
DeGrom, a meticulous worker known for his attention to mechanics, commented on his form, saying, “My mechanics were pretty good…I’m constantly trying to perfect it and get in the best positions that I can get based on performance and health.”
Despite entering the night last in major league scoring with just 91 runs, including only 12 runs in the previous six games, the Rangers managed to break out offensively. Notably, they set season highs for runs, hits (18), and walks (nine), ending a three-game losing streak. The team accomplished a historic feat with three bases-clearing doubles in one game. Adolis García and Wyatt Langford each hit a double during the big sixth inning, followed by Kyle Higashioka’s three-run double in the eighth.
This offensive surge came after a team-wide on-field batting practice session prior to the game. Manager Bruce Bochy expressed satisfaction, saying, “Good to see you guys break out and have a good game…Some success, it’s contagious. You’re hoping this is something these guys can build on, build some confidence.”
With this victory, deGrom advanced to a 3-1 record and a 2.55 ERA over 15 starts with the Rangers since signing a five-year, $185 million contract in December 2022. His career record stands at 85-58 over 224 starts, including 209 starts with the New York Mets from 2014-2022. Bochy lauded deGrom’s increasing form, stating, “He was really good tonight…It’s just going to get better with him as he builds up his strength and stamina. Really good command tonight, really good stuff. And it’s just getting better with him.”