Pérez, Jung Power Texas Rangers to Phillies Sweep
ARLINGTON, Texas - It's been a decade since the Texas Rangers were on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball at home. It was an opportunity they relished as the Rangers have plenty to prove during the 2023 MLB season.
Texas (3-0) continued its hot start, fighting its way to a 2-1 victory and sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field in just two hours and 24 minutes.
Martin Pérez (1-0) won his season debut, throwing 5 2/3 innings of one-run baseball. The lefty struck out seven and worked around eight hits.
Phillies starter Bailey Falter (0-1) took the loss after pitching 5 1/3 innings and giving up two earned runs.
Rangers third baseman Josh Jung helped complete the sweep with a solo home run in the second inning to get the scoring started.
It was the first long ball of the season for the rookie who finally entered the season as the starting third baseman after injuries plagued his last several campaigns.
Marcus Semien drove in Mitch Garver in the fifth for the Rangers' second run. However, Semien was thrown out at second after trying to stretch it into a double.
Philadelphia's lone run came off of Pérez in the fourth inning. Texas relievers Brock Burke, Jonathan Hernández and Will Smith kept the Phillies off the board for the remainder of the game. The latter recorded his first save of the season.
It was an excellent showing from the entire Texas pitching staff.
In a series that featured matchups such as Aaron Nola vs. Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler vs. Nathan Eovaldi, the contest between Falter and Pérez is the one that produced the pitchers' duel. On national television, no less.
The Rangers put their unbeaten streak on the line Monday when they host the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 p.m. CT.
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You can find Kade Kistner on Twitter @KadeKistner.
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