Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom throws seven innings of three-hit ball as Rangers shut down Chicago Cubs 3-0.
The Texas Rangers really needed starting pitcher Jacob deGrom to go out and have a stellar start on Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Field.
Well, deGrom threw seven innings of three-hit ball as the Rangers shut down the Chicago Cubs 3-0. The Cubs entered this weekend series as one of the hottest teams in MLB. Yet this series cooled off that heater they were on, especially after Saturday's and Sunday's defeats.
After securing the win, deGrom's overall record goes to 3-2 this season. Besides allowing just three hits, deGrom didn't walk a batter and struck out 10. This might be one of deGrom's best starts this season.
It comes in timely fashion, too, for the Rangers. Jacob Latz earned his fourth save this season on Sunday, too.
Cubs starter Jameson Tallion took the loss, dropping to 2-2 overall. In 5 1/3 innings, Tallion gave up four hits, one earned run, walked two, and struck out four. He looked pretty solid for the Cubs.
Relievers Hoby Milner and Phil Maton followed Tallion to the pitching mound, keeping things close. But Daniel Palencia was nicked for two runs in two-thirds of an inning of work. Palencia didn't allow a walk and struck out one, but gave up a crucial home run.
Sunday's game remained scoreless through the first three innings before the Rangers tacked on a run in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Joc Pederson's third double this season brought home Josh Jung for a 1-0 Texas lead.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, the Cubs and Rangers traded on-field challenges. Both calls on the field were upheld, though, so the score remained 1-0 Rangers after four innings.
Now, in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out, Evan Carter slammed his fifth home run this season over the right-field wall. Jung, who was on base again, scored ahead of Carter for the Rangers' final 3-0 advantage. Jung was 3-for-4 at the plate on Sunday, scoring two of Texas' three runs.
The Cubs were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left three runners on base. As for the Rangers, they were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base.
In beating the Cubs, the Rangers go to 19-21 this season and sit in second place in the American League West Division. The Cubs drop to 27-14, yet are still in first place in the National League Central Division.
The Rangers' offense totaled seven hits on Sunday, too.
Texas doesn't have a day off as the Arizona Diamondbacks are coming to Globe Life Field for a three-game series starting on Monday night.
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