Jacob deGrom (35. Texas Rangers), who is evaluated as the best pitcher in the major leagues if he is still healthy, won his first win with his new team.
DeGrom started the home game against the 2023 Major League Baltimore Orioles held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on the 6th (Korean time), and became the winning pitcher with 2 hits, 11 strikeouts, 2 walks and 2 runs (1 earned) in 6 innings. done.
DeGrom declared an opt-out from the New York Mets and wore a Texas uniform for five years and $185 million (approximately 244 billion won) ahead of this season. In two exhibition games, he recorded one win and an average ERA of zero, proving that he was ‘unstoppable’. However, on March 31, in the opening game against the Philadelphia Phillies and his official debut for Texas, his pride was damaged with 6 hits, 7 strikeouts and 5 runs in 3⅔ innings.
However, the opening game also showed a speed of 99 to 100 mph, and the command was not sharp enough. On this day, deGrom showed off his unique coordination skills and dispelled his concerns. He threw a fastball of 100.4 miles (about 162 km), the best of the day, to Anthony Santander in the 1st inning. He became a ball, but his pitch was still there.
In the second inning, lead batter Ryan Mountcastle used only four sliders and struck out on a swing. After that, he started a strikeout parade with a quick ball and slider combination. He threw a surprise changeup on Adam Frazier and hit a 99.6 mph fastball on Jorge Mateo. He struck out Cedric Mullins, Adley Luchman, and Anthony Santander in succession in the fourth inning. He brought out a slider, changeup, and curveball on a fast ball.
In the 5th inning, with 1 out on 1st and 3rd base, 2nd baseman Marcus Semien gave up 1 run due to an error, and Adam Frazier was hit with a timely hit while taking the ball out of the strike zone, allowing the game to tie. However, in the 6th inning, when he struck out Santander with a 99 mph, 4-seam, first baseman without a hit, Luchman’s stealing second base failed, and he took a breather. And at the end of the 6th inning, Josh Jung met the requirements for the first win with a final two-run four. Texas won 5-2, deGrom’s first win since moving to Texas.
Manager Bruce Bochy told MLB.com, “He was great. It was the best in this game. He struggled quite a bit in the 5th, but got back on the run in the 6th. He has good command, great stuff, it’s because of his hard work.” DeGrom also said,안전놀이터 “I am satisfied with my performance.”
“I’m pretty strict with myself,” deGrom said. I got a few more hits, but I have to do better than that. As I said before, whenever I catch the ball, the goal is zero (goals). And to give our team a chance to win.”
deGrom has had health issues for the past year or two. During his exhibition game this year, his pitching schedule was postponed due to a strain on his side. Although the sluggishness of the opening match was washed away, it is necessary to watch with a longer breath. There is a need to more fully prove the modifier that he is the best pitcher in the major leagues if he is healthy.