ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom struck out five over three innings Friday night in his first home start for the Texas Rangers in nearly 17 months after his recovery from elbow surgery.
The only run deGrom allowed was when Seattle's No. 9 batter, Josh Rojas, led off the third with a homer. Texas was down when he exited, then went ahead briefly before the AL wild card-chasing Mariners went on to an 8-2 victory.
A week after throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his season debut on the road, also against the Mariners, deGrom threw 37 of 58 pitches for strikes and had one walk.
“Definitely felt better than my first one. I think maybe a little bit less nerves, worked on some things in between,” said deGrom, who will get one more start this season. “It’s little things that I’ve got to continue to work on, but my arm felt good and that was the most important thing.”
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had said the 36-year-old right-hander would throw about 60 pitches.
Rookie right-hander Jake Leiter replaced deGrom to start the fourth, and gave up seven runs (six earned) over five innings.
It was the first start at home for deGrom since he left in the middle of the fourth inning against the New York Yankees on April 28, 2023. That was the sixth and last start in the first season of his $185 million, five-year contract.
This was his only start this season at Globe Life Field. The Rangers finish the season on the road next week at Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels, and deGrom said his goal in his final start is to get to five innings and around 75 pitches.
“Tonight I wanted to at least get four or five innings, but three 20-pitch innings isn’t ideal,” he said. “So try to be a little bit more efficient and try to get up there or go out there for a fifth would be the goal.”
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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) fist bumps catcher Jonah Heim (28) as they walk back to the dugout in the first inning in a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — New York Yankees star right fielder Juan Soto was scratched from the starting lineup a day after hurting his left leg sliding into a wall to make a catch but managed to come on as a pinch-hitter and hit an RBI double in the 10th inning.
Soto was originally in the lineup for Friday night's game against the Oakland Athletics but was pulled out after reporting soreness and swelling in his left leg. Manager Aaron Boone said X-rays were negative and Soto will not need additional testing.
Soto showed the injury wasn't too serious by coming on in the 10th and hitting an RBI double to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead over the A's. Soto is 2 for 10 with four RBIs in 13 career pinch-hit appearances.
Soto hurt his leg on Thursday in Seattle when he slid into the short wall in foul territory down the right-field line while making a highlight reel catch. He remained in the game but had swelling on Friday.
Boone he wasn't “overly concerned” the injury will linger into the postseason. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth on Wednesday night and went into day with a four-game lead in the AL East over Baltimore with nine games to play.
“Guys do a good job of knowing how to protect themselves and playing smart in certain situations,” Boone said. “I think him getting down the way he did protected him a little bit. Obviously he bruised it and he's out today. But I think the way he did it avoided something serious.”
Soto is batting .286 with 40 homers and 103 RBIs in his first season with the Yankees. Soto entered the day second in the majors with 125 walks, 284 times on base and a .418 on-base percentage, trailing only teammate Aaron Judge in all three categories. Soto is third in the majors with 120 runs scored.
Soto missed three games in June with left forearm inflammation.
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New York Yankees' Juan Soto walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto makes a diving catch on a foul ball by Seattle Mariners' Jorge Polanco but collides with the wall during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto, center, is checked on by center fielder Aaron Judge (99) and second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) after colliding with the wall after making a catch on a foul ball from Seattle Mariners' Jorge Polanco during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
