Jacob deGrom's dominant 9-strikeout performance led the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 20, 2025, snapping their losing skid.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Texas Rangers finally have a win to celebrate. After a frustrating three-game slide, the team leaned on its ace, Jacob deGrom, who delivered a masterful performance to secure a tight 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was a classic pitcher's duel and a much-needed dose of confidence to kick off the road trip.
'Jacob set the tone for us tonight. He was in command from the first pitch.' - Manager Bruce Bochy
When the team needed a stopper, Jacob deGrom answered the call emphatically. The Rangers' ace was virtually unhittable, carving through the Pirates' lineup for 7 dominant innings. He allowed just one run on four hits while striking out nine and walking only one. The performance improved his record to a stellar 7-2 and lowered his ERA to 2.10. It was the kind of outing that reminds everyone why he's one of the best in the game, completely changing the mood in the dugout and giving the team a chance to breathe.
While deGrom handled the pitching, the offense did just enough to get the job done. In a game where every run felt monumental, the Rangers manufactured their two runs thanks to timely contributions. Josh Smith and Sam Haggerty, who both went 1-for-1, came through to score the decisive runs. It wasn't an offensive explosion, but it was a gritty, opportunistic performance that proved to be the perfect complement to deGrom's dominance on the mound.
Manager Bruce Bochy was quick to credit the entire team effort in his postgame comments, particularly the defense. 'We made the plays we needed to behind Jacob. That was the difference tonight,' he stated. The clean defensive play kept the pressure off and allowed deGrom to work efficiently. The bullpen followed his lead, with José Leclerc coming in to shut the door and earn the save, preserving the one-run lead and securing the victory.
This win was a massive sigh of relief, but it's just one game. The key now is to build on this momentum. With deGrom setting the standard, the Rangers need the rest of the lineup to follow suit and provide more consistent run support for the remainder of this crucial series in Pittsburgh. A series win on the road could be the spark this team needs to get back on track.
