It was a homecoming of sorts for Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom as he had some of his best MLB seasons while playing for the New York Mets. The Mets had deGrom as a part of their pitching rotation, helping New York pick up key wins in his tenure with them.
On Friday night, though, deGrom threw a stellar game against the Mets as the Rangers scored an 8-3 win. The Rangers offense gave deGrom a six-run lead after the top of the first inning. That was enough to help deGrom pick up the win.
It is the fifth straight victory for Texas and puts the Rangers just two games out of first place behind the Houston Astros in the American League West Division. The Rangers are also 1.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot.
They have been playing incredible baseball in recent weeks despite a number of injuries to key players.
Still, the Rangers have found ways to secure wins. Getting a pitcher like deGrom going like he did on Friday night is only going to be a plus as the final days of this season is upon the Rangers.
How did deGrom do? Oh, he just went seven innings and allowed just three earned runs. He also gave up four hits but notched two strikeouts.
What about the Rangers offense? They took advantage of Mets rookie pitcher Jonah Tong. Cody Freeman's two-run single and Michael Helman's two-run double cemented deGrom with a solid first-inning lead.
In fact, the six first-inning runs were the most that deGrom has ever had a team score for him ever.
Like, ever. It was a great way to give deGrom a head start to an excellent night. Tong didn't make it out of the first inning. The Mets have been simply dreadful lately as their losing ways are putting them in a position to possibly not become part of the National League playoff picture.
After the Mets closed within 6-3, Dylan Moore hit a two-run homer in the seventh to give the Rangers their 8-3 lead.
Game, set, victory.
The Rangers need to keep on winning while hoping the Astros and Seattle Mariners, who are ahead of Texas in the AL West, post losses. Texas manager Bruce Bochy will have to dig deep into his vast experience of postseason pushes to help the Rangers just keep on their winning ways.