Nathan Eovaldi shines as the Rangers blank the Orioles 6-0 on July 3, 2025. Read how Eovaldi's return and a shocking Josh Jung roster move define the win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
On a night where the Texas Rangers bats came alive and Nathan Eovaldi looked every bit the ace, the biggest story wasn't the 6-0 drubbing of the Baltimore Orioles. While the win was emphatic, the pre-game news of 2023 All-Star third baseman Josh Jung being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock cast a long shadow over the victory, signaling a significant moment of reckoning for both the player and the team.
Nathan Eovaldi lowered his ERA to a sparkling 1.75 in 77 1/3 innings this season, proving once again he's the anchor of this injury-plagued rotation.
Any concerns about Nathan Eovaldi's form after a month on the shelf with an elbow injury were emphatically erased Wednesday night. In his second start back, Eovaldi was masterful, carving up the Orioles lineup for five scoreless innings on just 72 pitches. He allowed only two hits and struck out five, looking completely in command. His return is a massive boost for a starting rotation that has weathered an unbelievable storm of injuries this season. With guys like Jon Gray, Cody Bradford, and others having missed time, Eovaldi's steady presence is the bedrock of this team's pitching success. Dane Dunning's three-inning save to close it out was just the cherry on top of a dominant pitching performance.
The offense provided more than enough support, tying a season-high for runs in an Eovaldi start. The big blow came from Marcus Semien, who blasted a three-run homer in the third to break the game open. Not to be outdone, Corey Seager continued his torrid pace, launching a solo shot in the fifth for his fourth home run in the last six games. When your middle infield duo is producing like that, you're going to win a lot of games. The depth was on display, too, with Josh Smith collecting three singles and rookie Alejandro Osuna adding two hits of his own.
Now, for the move that has everyone talking. Sending Josh Jung to Round Rock is a tough pill to swallow for a player who was an All-Star just two seasons ago. But baseball can be a cruel game, and his prolonged slump necessitated a change. This isn't a punishment; it's a chance for a talented player to reset, clear his head, and find his swing away from the big-league pressure cooker. In his place, Ezequiel Duran wasted no time making an impact, lacing a key two-run single. It's a testament to the team's depth and a reminder that performance, not reputation, dictates playing time.
While the team temporarily says goodbye to one young star, another is poised for a return. Outfielder Wyatt Langford is expected to be activated from the injured list as soon as this Saturday when the team is in San Diego. His bat will be a welcome addition to the lineup. In his absence, Alejandro Osuna has done more than just fill a spot; he's proven he belongs, starting six of the last seven games and swinging a hot bat. The logjam in the outfield upon Langford's return is what you call a 'good problem to have.'
The Rangers head into their Thursday off-day on a high note, with a dominant win under their belts and their ace looking sharp. The victory, combined with the impending return of Wyatt Langford, provides plenty of optimism. However, the questions surrounding Josh Jung's future will linger. This team has proven its resilience all season, and now they'll take that 'next man up' mentality on the road for a weekend series against the Padres, hoping to build on this momentum.
