Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
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ARLINGTON — His pinpoint fastball nearly touched triple-digits and ran faster on average than it has this season. His legendary slider moved as quickly as his counterpart’s heater and was the singular reason for all of the hullabaloo. His changeup was quite literally unhittable and might’ve been the best pitch thrown all evening depending on how you ask.
“Today was kind of vintage deGrom,” Schumaker said of his veteran ace. “That’s what it looked like when I faced him back in the day.”
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pauses after he did two strikeouts to get to 2,000 during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers players celebrate their 2-0 victory against Washington Nationals after a baseball game at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers players celebrate their 2-0 victory against Washington Nationals after a baseball game at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz (67) celebrates with Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen (9) after their 2-0 victory against Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz (67) smiles after their 2-0 victory against Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz (67) delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers Ezequiel Duran (20) gets high-fives after he scored on a sacrifice fly hit by Nicky Lopez (33) during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
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Texas Rangers Ezequiel Duran (20) scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Texas Rangers Nicky Lopez (33) during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) reacts after hitting a triple during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers left fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) reacts after hitting a triple during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Chase Silseth (63) delivers during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers designated hitter Wyatt Langford (36) pauses before he swings during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jakob Junis (16) delivers during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers Ezequiel Duran (20) gestures after hitting a single as Washington Nationals first baseman Andrés Chaparro (87) looks away during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers designated hitter Wyatt Langford (36) is ready to swing during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers designated hitter Wyatt Langford (36) is ready to swing during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) gets high-fives after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) gets a high-five from Texas Rangers third base coach Corey Ragsdale (64) after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) takes off his cap after he did two strikeouts to get to 2,000 during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) takes off his cap after he did two strikeouts to get to 2,000 during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker (55) is seen during a warm-up session before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker (55) is seen during a warm-up session before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo (24) greets people before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers Josh Jung is seen before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers Josh Jung is seen before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
He continued with that thought before he stopped, pivoted backward and doubled down as if someone had prepared a counterargument.
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“I’m not kidding you,” Schumaker said, “that’s exactly how it looked.”
It looked like someone capable of hitting a historic milestone quicker than nearly any other arm in baseball history.
In a 2-0 win vs. the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field Thursday night, Jacob deGrom pitched 6 scoreless innings, struck out 10 batters, recorded his 2,000th career strikeout and helped pull the Rangers back into a tie for the American League’s third Wild Card spot with less than six weeks to play in the regular season. He became the second-fastest player to reach the milestone by games played (it took Hall of Famer Randy Johnson only 262 games) and by innings pitched (it took Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale only 1,626 innings to deGrom’s 1,661) only two batters into the game.
The 38-year-old recorded his milestone strikeout when Nationals first baseman Abimelic Ortiz swung out of his stance at a 92.6 mph slider that dropped to his ankles for the game’s second out. He stepped off the mound, and when the celebratory graphic on the right field video board triggered a standing ovation, he tipped his cap.
“It was very cool,” said deGrom, who reached the milestone in 13 seasons, 272 games and 1,660 1/3 innings. “Obviously, I’ve said it before, personal accomplishments are very cool, but the goal is to win. The most important thing tonight was to go out there and put us in a position to win. The Nationals, they’ve been a team that’s been scoring quite a bit of runs, so the goal was to go out there and try to put up zeroes.”
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He did that, too, and allowed only one hit when Nationals third baseman Brady House sliced his fastball into right field for a second-inning single before he cruised through the sixth. His fastball touched 99.8 mph and ran on average a half-tick faster than it has all season. His slider elicited nine whiffs and fooled hitters all night. His changeup wasn’t hit into play and generated a swing-and-miss every time a Nationals hitter swung at it.
The Rangers scored twice — once on shortstop Corey Seager’s solo home run in the third inning and again on pinch hitter Nicky Lopez’ sacrifice fly in the eighth — but were able to withstand countless failures with runners in scoring position because of their pitchers. The Nationals were held hitless for the game’s final seven-plus innings as the relief trio of Jakob Junis, Chase Silseth and Jacob Latz finished what deGrom started.
“They knew what was at stake,” Schumaker said. “It would’ve really sucked to celebrate deGrom after a loss, right?”
The Rangers toasted deGrom with champagne in the clubhouse afterward. Schumaker listed off the dates of deGrom’s previous milestone strikeouts, pointed out that he failed to record one in the three at-bats they had against each other and said that they’re “so grateful that he’s still a Texas Ranger” to end his speech. His teammates — who dubbed him “The General” after he declined to waive his no-trade clause three weeks ago and now salute him after they reach base — presented him with a set of custom silver boot spurs.
“He’s 38 and he’s still throwing 100,” catcher Danny Jansen said. “It’s remarkable.”
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Said Schumaker: “You don’t see it. You see, what, Chris Sale and deGrom? That’s kind of it, right now, at that age, still doing it at this elite level. He’s still evolving. He’s throwing a changeup now that’s gross. He’s throwing a fastball in. I thought he threw the fastball really well today against lefties that kept them off balance and got that slider underneath the barrel because of it. The changeup was super effective. It just shows you we’re watching a Hall of Famer.”
The Rangers and deGrom have sought his Hall of Fame form for some time now. The two-time Cy Young Award winner posted a 6.30 ERA in his first five starts after the All-Star break and battled hip soreness throughout. His previous start against the Los Angeles Angels last week ended prematurely after his tricep tightened up and failed to loosen.
He avoided the injured list even though Schumaker said that “everyone thought” he’d land on it. Schumaker said that his catch play on Monday’s off day was “okay” but “wasn’t awesome” health-wise. His between-start bullpen Tuesday afternoon “took the next step” as, according to deGrom, they did “almost everything” to ensure that his arm could go.
“[He’s] another guy that’s not at 100% doing what he’s doing to get out there and doing whatever he can to help this team get to where we want to get to,” Schumaker said. “I think it shows us a lot. We ask questions all the time about health before the game, and I totally get it, because these guys are fighting to get on the field. I don’t think people realize how much work goes on in between to help these guys on the field, because it’s a lot, and the way that they’re going at it, and deGrom not going on the IL when everyone thought it was going to happen, including me, after the Anaheim game, for him to come out and pitch to win the series was a big game to win. A must-win type of situation. We needed it.”