The Texas Rangers started off their series against the Seattle Mariners on a high note last night.
The Rangers beat the Mariners by a final score of 2-1 and improved to 21-13 on the season, while also extending their winning streak to three games and remaining two games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.
Leading the way was veteran right-hander Jon Gray.
Gray allowed a run in the first inning, but pitched scoreless baseball through the next six innings.
The 31-year-old struck out eight batters and allowed just four hits and no walks as he earned the win over the Mariners.
On Twitter, the Rangers celebrated Gray’s accomplishment by posting a video of him recording a strikeout.
7 innings, 8 strikeouts. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/x7YPdUo989
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 9, 2023
Gray certainly had everything working on Monday.
With his dominant outing, he earned his second win of the season and improved his ERA to 3.82.
The Rangers then held the Mariners scoreless for the rest of the game, as left-hander Will Smith shut the door in the ninth inning to seal the win for Gray.
Gray joined the Rangers back in 2021, signing a four-year deal.
The veteran right-hander began his career in 2015 with the Colorado Rockies, but often struggled at Coors Field.
Last season, he posted an ERA of 3.96 in 24 starts with Texas, going 7-7.
With Jacob deGrom out, the Rangers will certainly need all the help they can get from their remaining starting pitchers.
Gray helped lead them to an important win on Monday night.
The Rangers currently have the third-best record in the American League.
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