Thoughts on 5-1 Rangers win

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 08: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers is congratulated by teammates following a three run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field on August 08, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images Range

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What is the story about?

Rangers

5, Orioles 1

That was a fulfilling win.
Jacob deGrom mowing guys down. The bullpen keeping the opposition off the board. Corey Seager with a big home run.

What more could you want from a game?
Yes, deGrom gave up the first inning homer that seems to be such a bugaboo this season, but that was the only run given up in five innings.
And with nine Ks in the game, deGrom moved past Red Ruffing, Johan Santana and Kevin Appier to take the #95 spot on the all time strikeout list.
Once again, the Rangers didn’t have a ton of baserunners, but they made them count.
Half of the Rangers’ six hits on the game came in the second inning, when a couple of Orioles errors contributed to the Rangers taking a 2-1 lead.
Texas looked for most of the game like it might be needing to win its second straight 2-1 game, before Corey Seager provided the breathing room.
In the bottom of the eighth, former Ranger farmhand Grant Wolfram issued back-to-back two out, full count walks to Justin Foscue and Wyatt Langford, then fell behind 2-0 to Seager.
The third pitch of the at bat, Seager turned on, crushing a three run homer to make the game a little less tense.
The homer allowed Skip Schumaker to stay away from Jacob Latz, who was warming in anticipation of coming into the game in the ninth to protect a one run lead a day after picking up a two inning save. Cal Quantrill came in to finish things off instead.
That’s now four in a row for the Rangers, who are just a half-game back of Houston in the American League West, and who have a 1.5 game edge on the Guardians and Twins for the third Wild Card spot.
Jacob deGrom’s fastball topped out at 99.0 mph, averaging 97.5 mph. Peyton Gray hit 93.3 mph with his fastball. Chase Silseth touched 96.5 mph with his fastball. Cal Quantrill reached 94.0 mph with his fastball.
Corey Seager’s homer was 107.7 mph. Joc Pederson had a 104.5 mph groundout. Ezequiel Duran had a 101.2 mph GIDP. Brandon Nimmo had a 100.3 mph single.
Let’s finish the sweep on Sunday and break out Herbie.