Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers ace, hits 11 batters in 5-2 win over Baltimore Orioles

Texas Rangers fans learned Wednesday why Jacob deGrom received the Texas Rangers’ largest pitcher contract in franchise history.

He baffled batters in his second career start for the Rangers, striking out 11 batters in the Rangers’ 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field.

DeGrom was able to allow two walks, two hits, and two runs (one earned), while racking up 11 strikeouts over six innings in his first win as a Texas Rangers player.

“He [Jacob deGrom] was great, wasn’t he? It’s good to get him a win,” said Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, “good command, great stuff, just a great effort by him.”

DeGrom, who signed a five-year $185 million contract with the Rangers in the offseason, didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning when the Orioles scored their only two runs of the game off a single and an error.

“They did work him pretty hard that fifth inning, but he bounced back had a good sixth [inning],” said Bochy.

Despite his stellar strikeout total, deGrom said he could’ve pitched better.

“I’m pretty hard on myself when it comes to that. The fifth inning there, you know there’s room for improvement, I have to throw the ball better out of the stretch,” said deGrom, “definitely room for improvement but pleased with how I threw the ball.”

Despite the blemishes, deGrom still managed to be a puzzler for the Orioles during most of his start. His fastball reached speeds as high as 99 mph, and his slider was particularly effective.

“Early in the game noticed that it [slider] was really good and was throwing it to both sides mixing it up,” said deGrom.

His second appearance was quite different from his previous one. He allowed five runs on six hits in 3.2 innings in the Rangers’ season-opening win against Philadelphia.

Rangers bullpen excellence

The Rangers’ bullpen continued their torrid start to the season and extended their consecutive scoreless inning steak to 21.1 in the victory.

Through the first six games, the bullpen was one of the Rangers’ strongest areas.

“We have a good bullpen, good arms down there,” said Bochy, “They’re doing such a great job I have confidence in all of them.”

José Leclerc came in to save the game in the ninth inning and had a 1-2-3 inning to secure his first save.

Jung and Garcia continue to hit hot.

Adolis Garcia and Josh Jung have been two of the Rangers’ hottest hitters to start the season and both players showed up in key moments for the Rangers.

Garcia was the first to hit a one-run double and two outs to score his first run of the game. Garcia was able to score two runs and an RBI in the second of four innings. Garcia is batting.348 with one home run and five RBIs so far this season.

Jung followed Garcia’s first-inning double with a single of his own and hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the sixth to finish up a superb home stand. Jung won three of his four games with three RBIs, one run and two runs. Jung is currently at.318, with two home runs as well as four RBIs.

“I think we expect that, he [Josh Jung] Both ends of the ball are so important to him. I’m fortunate enough to watch him work every day so I’m not surprised by what he’s doing,” second baseman Marcus Semien said.

Tomorrow’s Rangers will be on their way before they begin their first road trip against the Chicago Cubs on Friday at 1:20 PM CT (Apple TV).

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