Rangers crush Orioles 10-2 on July 2 as Jacob deGrom sets a franchise record and rookie Justin Foscue snaps his 0-for-44 slump in a feel-good win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some nights are just about the win. Tuesday night at Globe Life Field was about so much more. It was a 10-2 thumping of the Baltimore Orioles, yes, but it was also a collective exhale for a rookie, a celebration of new milestones, and another masterful performance from an ace who is simply on another level. From Jacob deGrom's historic dominance to the loudest cheer of the night for a pinch-hit double, this was a game that had everything.
The longest hitless streak in Rangers history is finally over, as rookie Justin Foscue snapped his 0-for-44 skid with a pinch-hit double in the eighth inning.
It's becoming routine, but it should never be taken for granted. Jacob deGrom was once again magnificent, carving up the Orioles for six innings to earn his fifth consecutive win and improve to 9-2 on the season. He allowed just two runs while striking out six, lowering his ERA to a sparkling 2.13. More impressively, the outing marked his 14th straight start of at least five innings while allowing two or fewer runs. That extends his own franchise record and is the longest such streak in all of Major League Baseball this year. When deGrom takes the mound, the Rangers expect to win, and he delivered yet again.
In the eighth inning, the biggest roar of the night wasn't for a home run, but for a double. Rookie Justin Foscue, mired in a gut-wrenching 0-for-44 slump to start his career, stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter and laced a two-run double into the gap. The relief was palpable, not just for Foscue, but for his teammates who poured out of the dugout to celebrate and for the fans who gave him a massive ovation. The hit ended the longest hitless streak in Rangers history and provided a truly memorable, feel-good moment in a game full of them.
While the milestones stole the headlines, Adolis García was the offensive engine. 'El Bombi' was a run-producing machine, driving in four of the team's ten runs. He delivered clutch two-run singles in both the third and fifth innings, consistently coming through with runners on base and breaking the game open. It was a classic performance from the All-Star right fielder, who continues to be the heart of the Texas lineup.
The good vibes didn't stop with Foscue. Recent call-up Alejandro Osuna got the Rangers' offense going in the fourth inning by launching his first career MLB home run, a two-run shot that helped build the early lead. Later, with the game well in hand, reliever Jacob Latz took over and pitched three perfect innings to close it out, striking out three and earning his first-ever big-league save. It was a night for the new guys to make their mark.
This was the kind of complete, confidence-building win the Rangers needed as they hover near the .500 mark. Now, they'll look to carry that momentum into the series finale on Wednesday. With Nathan Eovaldi (1.87 ERA) set to make his second start since returning from the IL, the Rangers have a chance to secure a huge series win with their other ace on the mound. If the bats stay hot and Eovaldi looks sharp, this could be the start of a mid-season surge.
