MacKenzie Gore delivered a stellar performance on Tuesday night, allowing just one run on three hits over a season-high eight innings to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Joc Pederson and Ezequiel Duran each hit home runs, while Brandon Nimmo and Jake Burger contributed three hits apiece for the Rangers, who have now won three of their last four games.
The Diamondbacks’ only offense against the left-handed Gore (3-3) came in the top of the first inning when Ildemaro Vargas hit a solo home run. Gore had entered the game with an 0-3 record and a 6.85 ERA since April 8, but he rebounded emphatically.
Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen (1-4) failed to get through the fifth inning and lost his third consecutive start. He surrendered a season-high seven runs on seven hits in 4⅓ innings and has now failed to pitch five innings in three of his last four outings.
Brandon Nimmo exited the game in the bottom of the sixth after twisting his left ankle during a close play at first base, which was initially ruled an infield hit. Sam Haggerty came in as a pinch runner.
A decisive four-run fifth inning for Texas proved to be the difference. With two outs, the Rangers strung together three consecutive run-scoring singles from Duran, Alejandro Osuna, and Burger.
The Diamondbacks threatened in the ninth inning, loading the bases with no outs after three straight walks by Rangers reliever Gavin Collyer. Vargas ripped a line drive up the middle to drive in a run, forcing Texas to go to the bullpen again.
Rangers closer Jacob Latz entered and allowed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to drive in another run on a fielder’s choice to third base, with Josh Jung sliding to his right to prevent the ball from going down the left-field line. Gabriel Moreno followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to three runs before Latz secured his fifth save of the season.
