“Jacob deGrom Pitches Dominant 5 Shutout Innings, Rangers Beat Red Sox 3-2”
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jacob deGrom showcased his Cy Young-winning form from his time with the New York Mets, allowing just two hits in five scoreless innings on Sunday. Despite his strong performance, he received a no-decision as the Texas Rangers secured a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. DeGrom, who recently underwent his second Tommy John surgery in May 2023 and now plays for the Rangers after joining them in free agency, was capped at around 75 pitches for this outing. He threw 73 pitches, with 49 strikes, issued two walks, and hit a batter, allowing multiple baserunners in just one inning. DeGrom notched six strikeouts, five of which came in his second time facing the lineup.
Reflecting on his outing, deGrom commented, “It was nice to be back out there and pitch five innings. I still have work to do, but I’m looking forward to building from this performance.” The 36-year-old ace left the game with a 1-0 lead, and although he could have thrown a few more pitches, manager Bruce Bochy opted to bring in a reliever to start the next inning. Unfortunately, Shawn Armstrong surrendered two runs, one unearned, denying deGrom a chance to secure his first win since April 2023.
Bochy expressed optimism about deGrom’s progress, stating, “He could potentially go six or even seven innings in the next game. He’s a crucial part of our pitching staff, and it’s encouraging to see him take the mound every fifth day.” Texas ultimately triumphed 3-2, thanks to sixth-inning solo home runs by Wyatt Langford and Adolis García.
DeGrom, who returned to action last September, has been gradually increasing his workload. He noted that 70 pitches was his high mark during spring training. Bochy highlighted the careful approach taken to build deGrom’s stamina, allowing him to deliver a solid five-inning performance. The right-hander has a track record of quality starts against Boston, with this victory marking his first against the Red Sox in five career outings.
Looking ahead, deGrom acknowledged that despite getting the first start of the season under his belt, he will always feel pre-game jitters. “I’ll always have nerves every time I step on the mound. I get super nervous, and it’s hard for me to eat on game days. It’s just about focusing on my mechanics and trusting my abilities,” he said.
