Kepler's Key Double Secures Phillies' Victory Over Rangers
Max Kepler delivered a pivotal two-run double, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. This win marked a tough outing for All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom, who faced his third consecutive defeat.
The turning point came in the seventh inning when Brandon Marsh hit a one-out single, followed by Harrison Bader's walk. Kepler capitalized on the opportunity, driving both runners home with a hit that found the right-field corner. Bryson Stott then added to the score with an RBI single against reliever Danny Coulombe.
Jesús Luzardo, the Phillies' left-handed starter, showcased his skills with four strikeouts and just one walk over six innings. The only run he surrendered occurred in the first inning when Wyatt Langford connected for the Rangers' third consecutive single.
Jhoan Duran, making his mark as the third reliever of the night, closed out the game flawlessly in the ninth inning, securing his third save since joining the team from Minnesota at the trade deadline. Overall, he has amassed 19 saves this season.
DeGrom's performance included eight strikeouts and one walk across 6 2/3 innings. Despite his efforts, he has struggled recently, allowing five runs in each of his last two outings and experiencing a career-worst streak of giving up home runs in six straight games. The last time he faced three losses in a row was in early 2019 while with the New York Mets, during a season that saw him earn his second consecutive NL Cy Young Award.
Corey Seager was instrumental for Texas, scoring both of their runs. He initiated the scoring with a hit in the first inning and later launched his 17th home run to lead off the eighth.
In a critical moment, Rangers slugger Adolis García was caught attempting to steal third base in the fourth inning, just before Jake Burger's single that could have extended Texas's lead to 2-0. García had previously evaded a pickoff attempt by Luzardo after hitting a one-out double.
The Phillies have demonstrated resilience on the road, boasting a record of 30-13 when scoring at least two runs. Looking ahead, Zack Wheeler (9-5, 2.64 ERA) aims for his tenth win of the season in Sunday’s series finale against Texas, while left-hander Patrick Corbin (6-7, 3.91) takes the mound for the Rangers.
