Jordan Montgomery's Historic Gem Lifts Texas Rangers Over Houston Astros in ALCS Game 1
The Texas Rangers eked out a win over the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday night, thanks in large part to starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery.
Montgomery tossed 6.1 scoreless innings in the series opener, allowing just five hits and one walk on the night. Texas' bullpen took it from there, eventually closing out the 2-0 victory at Minute Maid Park.
According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, Montgomery is now the second pitcher in Rangers history to post multiple scoreless outings of 6.0-plus innings in a playoff career. The lefty's first such performance came less than two weeks ago.
Montgomery also did not allow a run in his 7.0 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series on Oct. 3.
Texas picked up Montgomery in a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals at the MLB Trade Deadline in July. In 11 starts with the Rangers down the stretch, Montgomery went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 1.094 WHIP.
The 30-year-old Montgomery has never made an All-Star Game, and the closest he's gotten to an individual award is a sixth-place finish for AL Rookie of the Year with the New York Yankees back in 2017.
Montgomery, who had made two appearances in the postseason entering 2023, now has a playoff ERA of 1.88 for his career.
Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound for the Rangers in Game 2 on Monday, while Framber Valdez is slated to start for the Astros. First pitch is scheduled for 4:37 p.m. ET.
Eovaldi has a 2.70 ERA in his playoff career, and a 1.32 ERA through two starts this postseason.
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