<\/p>\n
Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) prepares to throw a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON \u2014 Nathan Eovaldi caught the night\u2019s first pitch on Wednesday. Threw the game\u2019s last one.<\/p>\n
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And, in the process, maybe he turned the tight AL playoff races<\/a> in the Rangers\u2019 favor.<\/p>\n Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) high fives catcher Danny Jansen (9) after winning a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Red Sox 7-3.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers second baseman Nicky Lopez (33) smiles as he high fives pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) after winning a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Red Sox 7-3.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers fans celebrate a pair of runs during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News The Texas Rangers dugout reacts to a run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) rounds third base as he scores a run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo (24) doubles to center field and scores shortstop Corey Seager during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Boston Red Sox pitcher Erik Miller hits Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) with a pitch during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) fields a throw from pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) for an out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen (9) heads to home plate after talking with pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) catches a fly ball from Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu for an out during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers center fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) reacts to a hit from Boston Red Sox second baseman Nick Sogard (20) during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) jogs to the pitcher\u2019s mound to pitch in relief during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) high fives coaching staff after scoring a run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers players and staff watch as pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) throws a warmup pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers staff check on pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) reacts after hitting an RBI double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) hits an RBI double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) fouls off a pitch during the fist inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) reacts after hitting an RBI double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) watches a replay after giving up a two-run home run to Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Fans react after Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) hit a two-run home run over Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Fans react after Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) hit a two-run home run over Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) forces out Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) at second base as he attempts to turn a double play during the first inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Jace Eovaldi, son of Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, throws out the ceremonial first pitch with his sister Adeline before a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi reacts after his son Jace threw the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi returns the ceremonial first pitch balls to his children Jace and Adeline before a baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi hugs his daughter Adeline and son Jace after they threw the ceremonial first pitch to their dad before a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n On a night when starter\u00a0MacKenzie Gore got in early trouble, dealt with muscle spasms, reduced velocity and ultimately left without completing the fifth, Eovaldi rode out of the Rangers bullpen<\/a> Wednesday and maybe changed the whole dynamic of the season\u2019s final sprint.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n With the bass lines thumping extra heavy on Gary Clark Jr.\u2019s version of \u201cCome Together,\u201d the crowd of 26,364 at Globe Life Field reacted like something special was about to happen. Because that\u2019s what Eovaldi does in big games.<\/p>\n In plain terms, he pitched four innings of one-hit, shutout relief, retiring the last 11 batters he faced while the suddenly responsive offense put together four runs to give the Rangers a 7-3 win. But there was nothing plain about the night, which began with\u00a0Eovaldi catching the ceremonial first pitch from his children Jace and Adeline, then hustling to the bullpen to be ready.<\/p>\n \u201cBig Game Nate; he always shows up,\u201d said Josh Jung, who, like Eovaldi, returned from the IL just in time<\/a> to help spark the Rangers\u2019 four-game win streak that has pushed them into a tie for the AL West lead<\/a>. \u201cHim doing his thing was just a huge point.\u201d<\/p>\n Or as Corey\u00a0Seager put it: \u201cBig games and a big guy for a big moment. He did exactly what we needed him to do. It was pretty … cool.\u201d<\/p>\n Might have even added some saltier language between \u201cpretty\u201d and \u201ccool.\u201d And it wasn\u2019t gratuitous.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In the five days since\u00a0Eovaldi and Jung returned, the Rangers have won four straight games and erased a three-game deficit in the AL West. Yes, Houston still holds the advantage of a tiebreaker. But the simple fact is this: If the Rangers can play one-game better than the Astros over the final 10 days of the season, they win the division.<\/p>\n The more complex picture: The Rangers are 1 \u00bd games back of Cleveland for the No. 2 seed, which carries a first-round bye and a home-field edge in the Division Series. And the Rangers own the tiebreaker with the Guardians.<\/p>\n And if you want to get really complex, try figuring out the Rangers rotation for the final 10 days. Might be better to just know that\u00a0Eovaldi might be an option to now start two of the final 10, including the season finale at Minnesota where the Rangers might have Cal Quantrill, Jacob deGrom and Eovaldi with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. The Rangers will start Tyler Alexander on Thursday and will likely use Cody Bradford in bulk.<\/p>\n Had Eovaldi not pitched on Wednesday, he likely would have started the series finale against Boston. But he\u2019s now thrown 90 pitches over the past five days. He\u2019s got a legitimate chance to pitch 60-70 pitches as early as Tuesday and would be in line to go somewhere closer to 90 on the season\u2019s final Sunday.<\/p>\n This from a guy who hadn\u2019t pitched in a month due to elbow inflammation and whose return this season was never guaranteed.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know if we were going to have him [back] this year with what he was going through,\u201d manager Skip\u00a0Schumaker said. \u201cBut to see him coming out in front of the home crowd in a tie game and closing it out, that was a significant moment. I know what he means to this organization, this fanbase, and in that clubhouse.<\/p>\n \u201cIt felt almost like a closer coming into the game, that type of feeling in the ninth inning when the music goes on and the lights go out. I know it was early in the game. You aren\u2019t used to feeling that. But I felt that.\u201d<\/p>\n In the seventh inning, Brandon\u00a0Nimmo gave them the lead with a double and Ezequiel Duran added a two-out, two-run single on a 0-2 slider down in the zone. They added another two-out run in the eighth on a Seager single.<\/p>\n \u201cIt definitely felt like different energy out there,\u201d\u00a0Eovaldi said. \u201cYou know we’re playing really well. We battled. We fell behind and were able to fight back. Guys all over are playing really good baseball. We\u2019ve just got to keep it going.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Well, on Wednesday, it felt like a real playoff game, maybe for the first time this season.<\/p>\n Might want to get used to that feeling.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) prepares to throw a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":438948,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[150,152,151,92042,89744,89898],"class_list":["post-438947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arlington","tag-arlington","tag-arlington-headlines","tag-arlington-news","tag-tp-nathan-eovaldi","tag-tp-texas-rangers","tag-tp-skip-schumaker"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=438947"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438947\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/438948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=438947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=438947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=438947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
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